Dietary boron supplementation enhances sperm quality and immunity through influencing the associated biochemical parameters and modulating the genes expression at testicular tissue.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary boron improves immune and antioxidant status and calcium metabolism in mammals. However, till date the effects of dietary boron supplementation on male reproduction, especially on sperm production and sperm quality in farm animals are not documented. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of dietary boron on semen production, semen quality, immunity and molecular changes in the testis, blood and seminal plasma and to assess the interrelationship with other minerals in male goats. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in 21 adult male goats divided into 3 groups (control, boron and selenium supplemented groups, n = 7 each). In boron group, boron was supplemented at 40 ppm and in selenium group, selenium was supplemented at 1 ppm over and above the basal level. In control group, only the basal diet was fed without supplementary boron or selenium. The feeding trial was carried out for 60 days. Selenium was taken as a positive control for the dietary boron supplementation experiment. Following feeding trials, the sperm concentration, kinematics and functional attributes, immunity and molecular level changes in the testis, biomolecular changes in the blood and seminal plasma and also interrelationship with other minerals were studied. RESULTS: The average sperm concentration (million/ml) and the total sperm production (million/ejaculate) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in boron supplemented group when compared to selenium and control groups. The boron levels in blood plasma (r = 0.65) and seminal plasma (r = 0.54) showed a positive correlation with sperm progressive motility. Blood and seminal plasma metabolic biomarker namely, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.01) was significantly lower in the boron and selenium supplemented group than control, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05) was significantly lower in the boron supplemented group than selenium and control group. There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of serine proteinase inhibitor (SERPIN) and interferon γ (IFNγ) in the testis of boron supplemented than the control group. Boron supplementation up-regulated the immune-regulatory gene, interleukin 2 (IL2) and antioxidant gene, catalase (CAT) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). On contrary, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated in boron and selenium supplemented groups. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that dietary boron supplementation increased the sperm output, sperm motility and enhanced the immune and antioxidant defense capacity in male goats. The improved semen quality can be attributed to enhanced expression of testicular SERPIN, a crucial protein for the regulation of spermatogenesis process.

[Influence of immunocorrection on the inflammatory process in the urogenital tract in men with infertility].

We studied the concentration of metalloproteinases, pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, lymphocyte activation markers in seminal plasma of men with oligosymptomatic forms of chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract complicated with infertility. It was shown that chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract shifts the levels of cytokine profile, reduces the concentration of metalloproteinase-2 (576.4 +/- 89.3 ng/ml, P < 0.001), chemokines - fractalkine (16.3 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and chemmmokine regulated by activation, expression and secretion of normal T-cells (RANTES (12.7 +/- 1.0 pg/ ml, P < 0.001). Additionally, we observed a sharp increase in IL-8 (215.5 +/- 7.8 pg/ml, P < 0.01), MCP-1 (926.4 +/- 30.2 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and elevation of the CD25 + / CD95 + ratio. These observations point for alterations in apoptotic mechanisms in pathological forms of the generative cells and their accumulation in the sperm. Prolonged inflammation of the genital area is accompanied by depletion of the local immune system resulting in the development of infertility. The multidirectional shifts in IL-10/IL-12 index have been established: an increase in the group of patients with elevated level of hypercapitated spermatozoa and its reduction in microsomatic morphotype of spermatozoa. These data emphasize the importance of the microenvironment in maturation of gametes. It was shown that an inclusion of alfagin and gepatomax in immunorehabilitation of men with oligosymptomatic forms of urogenital infections improves leukocyte subpopulation content of sperm and concentrations of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and therefore, results in an increase in fertilizing potential.

[Influence of phytotherapy on pro- and antioxidant status in spermatozoa, seminal plasma and immunologic status of sperm in men with chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract complicated by infertility].

The lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in the blood of men with oligosymptomatic forms of chronic inflammation of the urogenital tract complicated by infertility are studied. Studied cytokine status of sperm in infertile men. The positive effect of imupret in combination with gepatomax on the oxidative activity systems, which leads to an improvement of leukocyte subpopulations of sperm, to normalize the concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and therefore, an increase in fertilizing are shown.

Effect of lycopene on semen quality, fertility and native immunity of broiler breeder.

1. The effect of drinking water supplementation with lycopene on the semen quality, fertility and immunity of broiler breeders was evaluated. 2. Broiler breeder males were individually caged from 25 to 42 weeks old and divided into two group: L group, treated birds (lycopene 0.5 g/l) and C group, control birds. Laying hens were divided into two groups and artificially inseminated. 3. Semen variables were evaluated and daily fertility recorded. Serum bactericidal activity was tested. 4. Semen production and viability were affected by lycopene supplementation. Serum bactericidal activity was better in L than in C group. The fertility rate curve of the L group displayed a positive trend.

Effect of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang on seminal plasma cytokine levels in patients with idiopathic male infertility.

Twenty-two idiopathic infertile patients were treated with Oriental herbal medicine, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (Hochu-ekki-to). Seminal plasma sFas level elevated significantly after herb administration. There was an inverse correlation between seminal plasma IL-6 level and sperm concentration before treatment. After the administration of herb seminal plasma, sFas levels significantly correlated with sperm concentration. Seminal plasma IL-8 level did not change. Certain kinds of cytokine in the seminal plasma might play some role in improving semen quality with treatment.

Oral transmission of human immunodeficiency virus by infected seminal fluid and milk: a novel mechanism.

Salivary transmission by the 30 million human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers is rare, despite kissing, aerosolization, and dental treatment. The main protective mechanism of saliva is reported to be inactivation of HIV-transmitting leukocytes by its unique hypotonicity; however, the successful oral transmission of HIV by seminal fluid and milk is unexplained. Whether seminal fluid and milk successfully transmit HIV orally by overcoming the recipient's salivary hypotonic inactivation of HIV-transmitting leukocytes was tested. Isotonic salt solution and normal donor samples of milk, colostrum, seminal fluid, and blood were studied for their ability to overcome the salivary hypotonic inactivation. All samples, in physiologic volumes, prevented the hypotonic saliva from inactivating HIV-transmitting leukocytes by providing solutes and retarding diffusion. This indicates that successful oral transmission of HIV by seminal fluid, milk, and colostrum may be due to their isotonicity, which overcomes hypotonic salivary inactivation of HIV-transmitting leukocytes.

Immunomodulatory 7-hydroxylated metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone are present in human semen.

Seminal fluid represents a milieu enabling spermatozoa to break the ovum membrane and suppress its immune response and, at the same time, to protect male germ cells against infection. Among constituents of the seminal fluid, various steroids, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate, were detected. With respect to immunomodulatory and antioxidative properties of the latter steroid and its 7-hydroxylated metabolites, believed to be at least in some instances the locally active species, their presence in seminal fluid is of particular interest. Here for the first time unconjugated 3beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (7alpha-OH-DHEA) and its 7beta-hydroxyisomer have been detected and quantified in semen. Eight semen samples were extracted with diethyl ether and following evaporation and solvent partition both isomers were detected by gas chromatography-mass fragmentometry using the ions m/z 358 and 343 for quantification. Another portion was separated by HPLC and in the fractions corresponding to 7-OH-DHEA isomers the steroids were measured by recently developed specific radioimmunoassays (RIA). Mean concentrations of 7-OH-DHEA as measured by RIA amounted 5.75+/-1.29 and 5.39+/-0.75 nmol/l (mean+/-SEM) for 7alpha- and 7beta-OH-DHEA, respectively.

Soluble CD46 (membrane cofactor protein, MCP) in human reproductive tract fluids.

CD46 (membrane cofactor protein, MCP) is a cell surface complement regulatory protein which may have an additional role in human sperm-egg interaction. A soluble form (sCD46) has also been detected in a number of biological fluids, most notably seminal plasma. The present study has employed a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA to assay sCD46 in reproductive tract fluids in normal and pathological conditions. Large amounts of sCD46 were detected in seminal plasma of both fertile and infertile men (combined mean, 4859 ng/ml). Vasectomized men had lower levels (mean, 2421 ng/ml), indicating contributory sources both before and after the vas deferens ligation site. Pre-colostrum also contained relatively high quantities (mean, 445 ng/ml), whereas breast milk (mean, 117 ng/ml), peritoneal fluid (mean, 154 ng/ml) and follicular fluid (mean, 107 ng/ml), as well as uterine (mean, 208 ng/ml), umbilical (mean, 166 ng/ml) and peripheral (mean, 206 ng/ml) blood plasma, had sCD46 levels within a comparable range. Amniotic fluid had low sCD46 concentrations (mean, 22 ng/ml). In endometriosis, peritoneal fluid levels of sCD46 were significantly raised (mean, 199 mg/ml). These results indicate distinctive fluid compartmentalisation of sCD46 consistent with a biological function in human reproductive tract fluids.

[Use of an anti-H extract of elder berries in the absorption-elution reaction during the examination of blood stains, saliva and sperm]. / Primenenie v reaktsii absorbtsii-éliutsii èkstrakta anti-H iz plodov buziny travianistoi pri issledovanii piaten krovi, sliuny i spermy.

Parameters of using anti-H extract from elder berries in absorbtion-elution reaction in order to detect H antigen in blood and excretion stains were established.

Effect of therapy on infertile couples with antisperm antibodies.

One hundred seventy-eight couples with positive antisperm antibody titers in serum and genital secretions were offered treatment with prednisone. Of 60 couples who received prednisone only, 43% conceived. Of 25 who had no therapy, 48% conceived. Fifty-four patients treated with prednisone received additional therapy and 31% conceived. Ten of 39 patients not treated with prednisone but receiving other therapies conceived. Cytotoxic antibodies were reduced in 30% to 42% of serum samples and in 24% to 33% of genital secretion samples. In those couples with decreased cytotoxic antibodies pregnancy rates were 40% to 60% compared with 0% to 23% in those with decreased hemagglutinating antibody titers. Our data suggest that prednisone did not improve overall pregnancy rates; pregnancy rates were comparable in both groups treated with other therapies; donor insemination was the most successful of the alternative therapies; reduction of cytotoxic antibody titers after prednisone treatment was associated with increased pregnancy rates.

Determination of sperm antibodies in human genital secretions by an ELISA technique.

Sera and genital secretions of 178 infertile men and 40 infertile women were evaluated for antibodies against spermatozoa by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was shown that circulating sperm antibodies are not usually transudated into genital secretions and, on the other hand, that local antibodies found in cervical mucus or seminal plasma are not detectable in serum. Furthermore it was demonstrated that the solubilization of cervical mucus by bromelain almost completely removes antibody activities detectable by ELISA, whereas sonication of mucus does not affect the immunoglobulins. Sonication should thus be applied for liquefaction of cervical mucus in order to assess its antibody properties.

Immune dysfunction in rabbits associated with chronic administration of enemas and rectal insemination.

NZ rabbits were treated with various combinations of enemas and intrarectal insemination (1 or 3 ml of semen a week) to investigate the effects of intestinal uptake and immunogenicity of seminal components and of an unrelated antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA), given simultaneously. For 5 months the treatment was limited to enemas and/or semen, and total immunoglobulins and antisperm and antilymphocyte antibodies were determined. Then, without interruption of the treatments, the animals received two courses of three consecutive daily intrarectal administrations of BSA, and the humoral response was determined 7 days after each course of administration. Only 1 of 18 intrarectally inseminated animals responded with production of antisperm antibodies; none had antilymphocyte antibodies. Total immunoglobulins, however, were significantly increased in animals receiving enemas alone (p less than 0.02) or followed by insemination (p less than 0.05). The humoral response to BSA was significantly (p less than 0.01) enhanced by prior administration of enemas but was moderately reduced by simultaneous administration of semen, in a dose-related fashion.

Unique serum requirement for histamine release from human basophils.

Basophil histamine release in a patient with an IgE-mediated seminal plasma allergy had a requirement for serum. Washed leukocytes, in the absence of serum, released little histamine on challenge with seminal plasma antigen. The addition of serum markedly enhanced the release. However, serum had only a mild effect on ragweed antigen induced histamine release from the same cells of this individual. Serum from normal donors was equally effective as autologous serum. Heating the serum and treating it with mercaptoethanol did not destroy this activity. The serum effect was unique in that another patient with seminal plasma allergy did not demonstrate this phenomenon. It is postulated that the effect of the serum is to stabilize the antibody-antigen step at the basophil surface.