Immunological observations following vasectomy.

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) against panels of normal lymphocytes and leukemic B-cells were demonstrated in vasectomized men. Since vasectomy is known to induce antibody formation to spermatozoa, the demonstration of these lymphocytotoxic antibodies may be related to antigenic constituents of spermatozoa such as HLA or B-cell alloantigens. Long term follow-up is needed to clarify the clinical significance of these antibodies.     

Vitamin A in human semen

Summary Vitamin A concentration has been determined in human semen with and without hydrolysis by fluorometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The vitamin A content of human spermatozoa is much lower than that reported for rabbit spermatozoa but approximately equal to that of bull spermatozoa.     

Influence of testicular fluid, spermatozoa and androgens on physiological activity of rat epididymis]

By ligation of the efferent duct and the corpus epididymis, the GPC concentration in this delimited anterior region decreased. However, HCG infection increased the GPC concentration. When spermatozoa are present in the epididymal tubule there is always a decrease in GPC concentration in these experimental conditions. Activity of the epididymis is disturbed by ligation.     

Role of endopeptidase in motility induction in apyrene silkworm spermatozoa; micropore formation in the flagellar membrane

Summary Immotile apyrene spermatozoa of the silkworm have a thick electron-dense flagellar membrane. On activation of apyrene spermatozoa by initiatorin, a prostatic endopeptidase of the silkworm, or by trypsin, the flagellar membrane becomes thinner, with the formation of many micropores. It then resembles that of motile apyrene spermatozoa in vivo.     

Stress-induced photon emission from perturbed organisms.

This paper reviews an ultraweak luminescent response of selected biological systems (lower and higher plants, insects and spermatozoa) to certain kinds of detrimental mechanical, temperature, chemical and photochemical stress and to lethal factors. The enhancing effect of white light and formaldehyde on the ultraweak luminescence of yeast and spermatozoa cells is described for the first time. An increase in the percentage of long wavelengths (lambda > 600 nm) with an increase in reaction time, and a significant influence of the suspending medium on the ultraweak luminescence, were observed. The vitality and motility of bull spermatozoa and the vitality of yeast cells were drastically decreased by treatment with white light, water, formaldehyde and iron-ions. Successive irradiation of intact bull spermatozoa cells with white light caused an increase in the intensity of delayed luminescence. An attempt has been undertaken to find stochastic models of non-stationary photon emission. The quasi-relaxation descending stage of non-stationary processes can be modeled as the Integrated Moving Average process IMA (0, 1, 1), and memory and transfer functions can describe the degree of perturbation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The relation of the ultraweak luminescence response to perturbations of homeostasis is discussed in the framework of biochemical and physical models.     

Stress-induced photon emission from perturbed organisms

This paper reviews an ultraweak luminescent response of selected biological systems (lower and higher plants, insects and spermatozoa) to certain kinds of detrimental mechanical, temperature, chemical and photochemical stress and to lethal factors. The enhancing effect of white light and formaldehyde on the ultraweak luminescence of yeast and spermatozoa cells is described for the first time. An increase in the percentage of long wavelengths (λ>600 nm) with an increase in reaction time, and a significant influence of the suspending medium on the ultraweak luminescence, were observed. The vitality and motility of bull spermatozoa and the vitality of yeast cells were drastically decreased by treatment with white light, water, formaldehyde and iron-ions. Successive irradiation of intact bull spermatozoa cells with white light caused an increase in the intensity of delayed luminescence. An attempt has been undertaken to find stochastic models of non-stationary photon emission. The quasi-relaxation descending stage of non-stationary processes can be modeled as the Integrated Moving Average process IMA (0,1,1), and memory and transfer functions can describe the degree of perturbation in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The relation of the ultraweak luminescence response to perturbations of homeostasis is discussed in the framework of biochemical and physical models.     

Partial purification of components from fasting human blood serum which stimulate the forward migration of human spermatozoa

Summary Components from fasting human serum that could stimulate the forward migration of human spermatozoa were isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25. The results suggest that these components may be used to enhance sperm forward migration and, hence, pregnancy rate in artificial insemination with husband's semen, (AIH) especially in cases where the sperm forward migration is not optimal.This work was supported by a grant from the World Health Organization.     

Identification and possible biological relevance of spermatozoal transglutaminase.

Normal human spermatozoa were demonstrated by dot immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry to possess transglutaminase (TGase). The immunological identification of spermatozoal TGase is consistent with reports by others of its biochemical identification and suggested role in sperm motility, and provides, in view of the immunoregulatory properties of seminal plasma TGase, presumptive identification of a means whereby spermatozoa, under normal physiological conditions, may possibly be protected from immunological 'attack' within the female reproductive tract.     

Studies on the survival time of the eupyrene and oligopyrene spermatozoa of the prosobranch,Vivipara bengalensis (Lamarck)

Summary Vivipara bengalensis, like many other gastropods, produces two types of spermatozoa viz., eupyrene (normal) and oligopyrene (abnormal). The eupyrene ones are comparatively small and uniflagellated, whereas the oligopyrene ones are much larger, worm-like and each with a tuft of tail flagella. Eupyrene and oligopyrene spermatozoa reveal in vitro differential survival characteristics; the eupyrene spermatozoa exhibit considerably shorter survival as compared with their oligopyrene counterparts.     

Metabolism of amphibian spermatozoa in relation to their motility.

Bufo arenarum spermatozoa were able to sustain motility both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In aerobiosis, the oxygen consumption varies between 2.6 and 4.2 microliter O2/10(8) cells/h at 30 degree C. The synthesis of lactic acid by anaerobic spermatozoa demonstrated the existence of an active glycolytic pathway.     

Toxic effects of methylmercury on spermatozoa in vitro

In an in vitro investigation, methylmercury (MeHg) reduced the motility of rat spermatozoa probably by the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase activities. Concomitant morphological changes observed in the spermatozoa were coiled tails and kinks in midpiece and tail regions.     

Migration and dispersal of spermatozoa in spermathecae of queen honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

Summary Observations of variability in the phenotypic composition of honeybee colonies through time have led to ad hoc hypotheses concerning the distribution of spermatozoa in multiply mated honeybee queens. These hypotheses are not supported by available data. Serial sections of spermathecae from honeybee queens were examined by light microscopy. No obvious physical evidence was observed of agglomerations, aggregations, clumps, layers, or wads of spermatozoa within spermathecae within 24 h of insemination. A hypothesis is proposed explaining the occurrence of fluctuations of progeny phenotypes.     

Toxic effects of methylmercury on spermatozoa in vitro

Summary In an in vitro investigation, methylmercury (MeHg) reduced the motility of rat spermatozoa probably by the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase activities. Concomitant morphological changes observed in the spermatozoa were coiled tails and kinks in midpiece and tail regions.     

Spermatozoa: models for studying regulatory aspects of energy metabolism

Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells, and they offer advantages for studying several basic aspects of metabolic control such as the role of adenosine triphosphate-(ATP)-homeostasis for cell function, the mechanisms of fatigue and metabolic depression, the metabolic channelling through the cytoplasm and the organization and regulation of glycolytic enzymes. Spermatozoa of four species with different reproductive modes are, introduced and the first results are presented: Spermatozoa of the marine wormArenicola marina are well adapted to external fertilization in sea water with fluctuating oxygen tension: they are motile for several hours in oxygen-free sea water, even when the ATP level is dramatically reduced. Anaerobic ATP production occurs by alanine, acetate and propionate fermentation probably by the same pathways known from somatic cells of this species. Under aerobic conditions the phosphagen system might function like a shuttle for energy-rich phosphate from mitochondria to the dynein-ATPases. Storage of turkey and carp spermatozoa for several hours without exogenous substrates and oxygen results in the degradation of phosphocreatine and ATP to inorganic phosphate and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), respectively. Despite low energy charges, stored spermatozoa of both species are capable of progressive movements. In carp spermatozoa fatigue of motility is not accompanied by the dramatic acidosis one discusses as an important effect in muscle fatigue. Energy metabolism of boar spermatozoa is typically based on glycolysis consuming extracellular carbohydrates and producing lactate and protons. The sperm seem to tolerate low intracellular pH (<6.5). The lack of a phosphagen system (no energy shuttle from mitochondria to the distal dynein-ATPases) is probably compensated by a high glycolytic ATP-production in the mitochondria-free piece of the flagellum.     

Uptake of glusose-C14 and fructose-C14 by buffalo spermatozoa in extenders during cold storage

Buffalo spermatozoa exhibit insignificant uptake of glucose-C14 and fructose-C14 when semen samples were preserved in cold for 96 h in 2 extenders. Incorporation of C14 in spermatozoa, TCA precipitable proteins and soluble sugar phosphates was either equal or less in semen samples preserved in cold. CAW appeared to be a better extender than SKMEY as revealed by sugar uptake in cold.     

Lithium and phorbol ester modify the activating capacity of ascidian spermatozoa

In this paper we have shown, using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique, that two parameters of the fertilization current in ascidian eggs may be modified by exposing spermatozoa to lithium or to phorbol ester. When spermatozoa were pre-treated in 250 mM lithium sea water for up to 30 min there was a significant increase in the mean initial slope of the fertilization current, from 116±90 to 169±84 pA/s (p<0.05). The peak current increased from 1371±1079 to 1719±1052 pA (p>0.05). Pre-treatment in 200–600 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also increased the activating capacity of ascidian sperm, as monitored by a significant increase in the initial slope current in control eggs; however, there was no increase in peak current. Furthermore, we have shown, using NH₄Cl, that an increase in intracellular pH alone is insufficient to change the activating capacity of spermatozoa. This is the first report showing that the kinetics of an egg activation event depend upon the physiological status of the spermatozoon.     

Sperm activation inBalanus balanoides (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Summary Ammonium ions alone will activate both vesicula and inseminated spermatozoa ofBalanus balanoides. Maximum activity, however, occurs when inseminated spermatozoa are treated with the blood and oviducal gland fluid ofB. balanoides.Acknowledgments. I should like to thank Mr K. White for the ammonia determinations and Prof. D. J. Crisp and Dr P. A. Gabbott for useful discussions.     

Uptake of glucose-C14 and fructose-C14 by buffalo spermatozoa in extenders during cold storage

Summary Buffalo spermatozoa exhibit insignificant uptake of glucose-C¹⁴ and fructose-C¹⁴ when semen samples were preserved in cold for 96 h in 2 extenders. Incorporation of C¹⁴ in spermatozoa, TCA precipitable proteins and soluble sugar phosphates was either equal or less in semen samples preserved in cold. CAW appeared to be a better extender than SKMEY as revealed by sugar uptake in cold.Acknowledgment. We are indebted to Dr D. Sundaresan, Director, for his kind encouragement in this study.     

The effects of sodium and amiloride on the motility of the caudal epididymal spermatozoa of the rat

Summary The forward motility of the rat caudal epididymal spermatozoa has been studied in different Na⁺ concentrations. When spermatozoa were suspended in a completely Na⁺-free solution, the forward motility suffered a progressive fall and after 3 h was completely suppressed. This effect was fully reversible on resuspending the spermatozoa in a solution containing Na⁺. Amiloride caused a fall in motility and the effect was similar to that of Na⁺ removal. The inhibition by amiloride of the motility was concentration dependent and the dose response curve showed an IC₅₀-value of about 5×10^–5 M. The role of Na⁺ influx in the maintenance of sperm motility was discussed.This work was supported by the World Health Organization.The technical assistance of Mr C.M. Li and the gift of amiloride from Merck, Sharp and Dohme are gratefully acknowledged.     

Identification and possible biological relevance of spermatozoal transglutaminase

Summary Normal human spermatozoa were demonstrated by dot immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry to possess transglutaminase (TGase). The immunological identification of spermatozoal TGase is consistent with reports by others of its biochemical identification and suggested role in sperm motility,and provides, in view of the immunoregulatory properties of seminal plasma TGase, presumptive identification of a means whereby spermatozoa, under normal physiological conditions, may possibly be protected from immunological attack within the female reproductive tract.