Glutamate-induced obesity leads to decreased sperm reserves and acceleration of transit time in the epididymis of adult male rats.

BACKGROUND: Given the established fact that obesity interferes with male reproductive functions, the present study aimed to evaluate sperm production in the testis and storage in the epididymis in a glutamate-induced model of obesity. METHODS: Male rats were treated neonatally with monosodium glutamate (MSG) at doses of 4 mg/kg subcutaneously, or with saline solution (control group), on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. On day 120, obesity was confirmed by the Lee index in all MSG-treated rats. After this, all animals from the two experimental groups were anesthetized and killed to evaluate body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, plasma hormone levels (FSH, LH and testosterone), testicular and epididymal histo-morphometry and histopathology. RESULTS: Significant reductions in absolute and relative weights of testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle were noted in MSG-treated animals. In these same animals plasma testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were decreased, as well as sperm counts in the testis and epididymis and seminiferous epithelium height and tubular diameter. The sperm transit time was accelerated in obese rats. However, the number of Sertoli cells per seminiferous tubule and stereological findings on the epididymis were not markedly changed by obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal MSG-administered model of obesity lowers sperm production and leads to a reduction in sperm storage in the epididymis of adult male rats. The acceleration of sperm transit time can have implications for the sperm quality of these rats.

Physical analysis of ejaculate to evaluate the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and prostate.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether analysis of the physical properties of ejaculate also has any diagnostic potential for evaluating the function of these accessory sex glands. Diverse normal and abnormal states of coagulation, liquefaction, volume, viscosity and pH were studied with regard to the levels of biochemical markers of the seminal vesicles (fructose and inorganic phosphorus) and prostate (calcium, zinc and acid phosphatase). Fructose and inorganic phosphorus were significantly decreased in samples with absent or poor coagulation (p<0.001), volume < 2.0 mL (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively), hypoviscosity (p=0.013 and p<0.001), hyperviscosity (p=0.006 and p<0.001) and pH < or = 7.1 (p=0.018 and p<0.001). Also, fructose and inorganic phosphorus were significantly decreased in samples with liquefaction > 120 min (p=0.003) and pH > 8.0 (p<0.001), respectively. Calcium, zinc and acid phosphatase activity were significantly increased in samples with absent or poor coagulation (p<0.001), and significantly decreased in samples with volume > 5.0 mL (p=0.007, p=0.034 and p=0.011) and pH > 8.0 (p<0.001). Also, calcium and zinc were significantly increased in hypoviscous samples (p=0.012 and p=0.003), whereas the zinc concentration was significantly lower in hyperviscous samples (p=0.026). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, pH showed the highest predictive power to identify prostate dysfunction (83.6%) and simultaneous prostate and seminal vesicle dysfunction (98.8%). Physical analysis of ejaculate was also found to be clinically useful for evaluating the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and prostate. Abnormal coagulation, liquefaction, volume, viscosity and pH strongly suggest gland dysfunction.

Dose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of different organs in adult rats.

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) known as Maca grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m over the sea level in the Peruvian central Andes. The dried hypocotyls of Maca are traditionally used as food and for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. A dose-response study was performed to determine the effect of 7 days oral administration of an aqueous lyophilized extract of Maca at 0.01-5 g/kg (corresponding to 0.022-11 g dry hypocotyls of Maca/kg) on body and different organ weights, stages of the seminiferous tubules, epididymal sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone and estradiol levels in rats. In doses up to 5 g extract/kg, no toxicity was observed. Almost all organ weights were similar in controls and in the Maca extract-treated groups. Seminal vesicles weight was significantly reduced at 0.01 and 0.10 g extract/kg. Maca increased in length of stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous tubules in a dose-response fashion, with highest response at 1.0 g/kg, while caput/corpus epididymal sperm count increased at the 1.0 g dose. Cauda epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, and serum estradiol level were not affected at any of the doses studied. Serum testosterone was lower at 0.10 g extract/kg. Low-seminal vesicle weights correlated with low-serum testosterone levels (R2=0.33; P<0.0001) and low-testosterone/estradiol ratio (R2=0.35; P<0.0001). Increase in epididymal sperm count was related to lengths of stages VII-VIII. Highest effect on stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous tubules was observed at 1.0 g Maca aqueous extract/kg. The present study demonstrated that Maca extract in doses up to 5 g/kg (equivalent to the intake of 770 g hypocotyls in a man of 70 kg) was safe and that higher effect on reproductive parameters was elicited with a dose of 1 g extract/kg corresponding to 2.2 g dry Maca hypocotyls/kg.

Function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility.

The present review has been designed to update the recent developments on the function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility. It is indicated that the true corrected fructose level is a simple method for the assessment of the seminal vesicular function. Measurement of seminal fructose used universally as a marker of the seminal vesicle function is not an appropriate approach due to its inverse relationship with the sperm count. The true corrected fructose defined as [log. motile sperm concentration] multiplied by [seminal fructose concentration] has been shown to be a better marker of the seminal vesicle function. Seminal vesicular secretion is important for semen coagulation, sperm motility, and stability of sperm chromatin and suppression of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract. In conclusion, the function of seminal vesicle is important for fertility. Parameters as sperm motility, sperm chromatin stability, and immuno-protection may be changed in case of its hypofunction.

Hyperviscosity and hypofunction of the seminal vesicles.

The study was designed to determine whether hyperviscosity of the semen sample is related to dysfunction of the male accessory glands. It was carried out on men who consecutively attended an infertility clinic between June 1989 and June 1991, and the men were grouped according to viscosity of semen samples (normal viscosity or higher viscosity). Semen samples from 229 infertility patients were studied. From these, 155 had normal viscosity and 74 showed hyperviscosity. The effect of hyperviscosity of semen samples on seminal quality and the function of the prostate was evaluated by acid phosphatase measurement, and the seminal vesicles by measurement of corrected fructose. Sperm motility (grades II-III), sperm vitality, and corrected fructose were significantly reduced in samples with high viscosity (p < .05). A high prevalence of hyperviscosity in semen samples was associated with only hypofunction of the seminal vesicles. In fact, 36.5% of subjects with hyperviscosity showed reduced levels of corrected fructose. The same association with hyperviscosity was not observed when only hypofunction of the prostate was present, or when hypofunction of both prostate and seminal vesicles was present (P:NS). Further analysis showed that high viscosity is observed mainly when corrected seminal fructose levels were below 1.5 mg/mL x 10(6) spz/mL. It would appear that hyperviscosity affects sperm motility and is associated with hypofunction of the seminal vesicles.

Ausencia funcional de conductos eyaculadores / Functional absence of ejaculatory ducts

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de muestras de semen procedentes de 5 159 pacientes que se consultaron por infertilidad en un período de 8 años y 4 meses. En 188 casos se comprobó azoospermia (muestras seminales con ausencia de espermatozoides) y en 23 de los azoospérmicos se presentaron características seminales del síndrome de ausencia funcional de los conductos eyaculadores. Se compararon los valores bioquímicos del plasma seminal (fructosa, fosfatasa ácida, y glicerilfosforilcolina) de los pacientes con las características del síndrome con igual número de normozoospérmicos infértiles y azoospérmicos no obstructivos. Pudo comprobarse diferencia altamente significativa en los 3 indicadores (p < 0,005) entre los pacientes con el sídrome y los otros 2 grupos. Los resultados indican que estas determinaciones bioquímicas son útiles en el diagnóstico del síndrome sin necesidad de utilizar métodos quirúrgicos

Ausencia funcional de conductos eyaculadores / Functional absence of ejaculatory ducts

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de muestras de semen procedentes de 5 159 pacientes que se consultaron por infertilidad en un período de 8 años y 4 meses. En 188 casos se comprobó azoospermia (muestras seminales con ausencia de espermatozoides) y en 23 de los azoospérmicos se presentaron características seminales del síndrome de ausencia funcional de los conductos eyaculadores. Se compararon los valores bioquímicos del plasma seminal (fructosa, fosfatasa ácida, y glicerilfosforilcolina) de los pacientes con las características del síndrome con igual número de normozoospérmicos infértiles y azoospérmicos no obstructivos. Pudo comprobarse diferencia altamente significativa en los 3 indicadores (p < 0,005) entre los pacientes con el sídrome y los otros 2 grupos. Los resultados indican que estas determinaciones bioquímicas son útiles en el diagnóstico del síndrome sin necesidad de utilizar métodos quirúrgicos

Colesterol y fosfolípidos en el plasma seminal humano antes y después de vasectomía / Cholesterol and phospholipids in seminal plasma before and after vasectomy

Antes y a los 2 y 6 meses después de practicada la vasectomía se evaluaron las alteraciones que pudieran presentar las glándulas del aparato genital masculino en su fisiología y capacidad secretora, mediante el análisis químico de los constituyentes del plasma seminal (colesterol libre, colesterol esterificado y fosfolípidos). El resultado de este análisis químico, indica que la relación de la concentración del colesterol libre con respecto al colesterol esterificado, permanece constante a los seis meses de practicada la vasectomía, no así la concentración de fosfolípidos, la cual disminuye a partir de los dos meses de realizado este procedimiento quirúrgico. Estos hallazgos indican de una manera indirecta las alteraciones en la capacidad secretora que pudieran tener las glándulas genitales debido a este método de anticoncepción masculina.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on prepubertal rat testis

The testes of prepubertal male rats (N -12) aged 21 days were stimulated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (1.5-MHz frequency, 1-KHz repetion pulse rate, 200-*s pulse width, 30-V peak-to-peak amplitude and 20-mW/cm* intensity) applied to the skin for 20 min/day for 7 days. Control rats (N-8) were manipulated in the same manner but not submitted to ultrasound. Ultrasound stimulation promoted a significant increase in plasma testosterone (62%) leading to a significant increase in seminal vesicle relative weight (35%) as well as an increase in the fructose (92%) and DNA (200%) contents of the gland. No differences were detected between ultrasound-treated and control animals, in terms of body weight and the relative weights of testis, cauda epididymidis, testis DNA and mitosis

Functional disturbance of rat sexual accessory glands in an early phase of lead intoxication.

In order to investigate the effects of chronic lead intoxication on sexual accessory glands adult male Wistar rats were poisoned by ad libitum ingestion of lead acetate at concentrations of 0.5 g/l and 1.0 g/l for 90 d. Blood lead exhibited a significant increase in both treated groups. A decrease in hematocrit and hemoglobin, besides a rise in glycemic levels, confirmed lead intoxication. No sign of lesion was detected upon histologic examination of prostate, seminal vesicle, and coagulating gland. A morphometric technique revealed that, in this early phase of intoxication, no alteration occurred in the prostate's and seminal vesicle's epithelial height. However, a significant decrease in fructose content was observed in both lead treated groups. The results, revealing a precocious envolvement of male sexual accessory glands in lead intoxication, were related to disturbance in plasma testosterone level and also probably in androgen receptors.

Estudio de la bioquímica del semen en pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemia primaria / Study of the biocheistry of semen in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia

Se estudió la bioquímica seminal (fructosa, fosfatasa acida y glicerilfosforilcolina) y los nivelas sanguíneos de colesterol total y triglicéridos de 16 pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemia primaria (HLP), en edades entre 20 y 49 años, tipificados según el método de Fredrickson. Se correlacionaron los valores del colesterol y triglicéridos con los marcadores seminales de la función de las glándulas sexuales accesorias. La mayoría de los pacientes con HLP no presentaron alteraciones de la bioquímica seminal y no se hallaron diferencias importantes entre los distintos tipos electroforéticos. Se observó una correlación positiva de la fructosa con el colesterol y de éste con la testosterona plasmática. En conclusión, en los pacientes con HLP primaria las alteraciones de la bioquímica seminal son poco frecuentes, lo que indica que la HLP tiene poca o ninguna influencia sobre la función de las gládulas sexuales accesorias

Estudio de la bioquímica del semen en pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemia primaria / Study of the biochemistry of semen in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia

Se estudió la bioquímica seminal (fructosa, fosfatasa acida y glicerilfosforilcolina) y los nivelas sanguíneos de colesterol total y triglicéridos de 16 pacientes con hiperlipoproteinemia primaria (HLP), en edades entre 20 y 49 años, tipificados según el método de Fredrickson. Se correlacionaron los valores del colesterol y triglicéridos con los marcadores seminales de la función de las glándulas sexuales accesorias. La mayoría de los pacientes con HLP no presentaron alteraciones de la bioquímica seminal y no se hallaron diferencias importantes entre los distintos tipos electroforéticos. Se observó una correlación positiva de la fructosa con el colesterol y de éste con la testosterona plasmática. En conclusión, en los pacientes con HLP primaria las alteraciones de la bioquímica seminal son poco frecuentes, lo que indica que la HLP tiene poca o ninguna influencia sobre la función de las gládulas sexuales accesorias