Osteopontin Concentration in Prostates Fractions: A Novel Marker of Sperm Quality in Dogs.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the sperm quality and the osteopontin (OPN) concentration in the prostates of Malakli shepherd dogs. Ejaculates were collected once by digital manipulation from 39 male dogs aged between 2 and 4 years and older. The first and third fractions of the ejaculate were centrifuged at 5000× g for 30 min, and supernatants were stored at -80 °C for further analysis of OPN using a double-antibody sandwich method (SEA899CA, Cloude-Clone Corp, Houston, TX, USA). Meanwhile, the second fractions were evaluated for sperm motility, concentration, viability, and rate of abnormal spermatozoa (head, acrosome, midpiece and tail abnormalities). The average concentration of OPN was 8.7 ± 5.2 ng/mL, and it differed significantly between the 1st 10.4 ± 5.3 ng/mL and 3rd 7.4 ± 5 ng/mL fractions. According to ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis, the OPN concentration had a better diagnostic ability for sperm motility (p < 0.001) than for the rate of abnormal spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Additionally, the OPN concentration was negatively correlated with poor sperm morphology and motility. In conclusion, the OPN concentration in prostate-derived secretions may be a possible marker of sperm quality in dogs. Further research could explore the involvement of OPN in sperm motility during cryopreservation and in vivo fertility.

Relationship between activity of gluthatione peroxidase and nitric oxide in synovial fluid and the progression of temporomandibular joint internal derangement.

The purposes of this study were to measure the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and nitric oxide (NO) in the synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement (ID) and to indicate the relationship between the activity of GPX and NO and the progress of the ID. Twenty-six patients with TMJ ID were identified and classified according to Wilkes staging through clinical and radiologic examinations. Levels of GPX were determined indirectly by a coupled reaction with glutathione reductase. Levels of NO were measured colorimetrically. The activity of GPX and NO was observed to be progressively increasing as the stage of the TMJ ID progressed. There were significant correlations between the 2 substances and the Wilkes stages. Oxidative stress may have a role in the pathogenesis of TMJ ID. In synovial fluid, GPX and NO activities are increased as the stage of the disease increased. Increase in the activities of GPX might not be enough to prevent progression of the TMJ ID.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in the synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement and to show the relationship between the level of TNF-α and the severity of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arthrocentesis was performed on 32 female and five male patients (aged between 17 and 45) referred to our clinic with the complaint of TMJ pain and discomfort. TNF-α levels were determined in the SF samples obtained during arthrocentesis. As a measure of pain, visual analog scale (VAS) scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in VAS scores between the stages. VAS scores were found to be elevated as the stage of disease progressed. Increased levels of TNF-α were found in progressive stages of internal derangement. CONCLUSION: In our study, both SF TNF-α levels and pain levels (VAS scores) were found to be increased in patients with internal derangement as the stage of the disease progresses. TNF-α might contribute to the pathogenesis of synovitis and the degeneration of the TMJ cartilage and bone.