Attila Pál

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CELL PHONE USE AND SEMEN QUALITY

This study was conducted to determine a possible relationship between regular cell phone use and different human semen attributes. The history-taking of men in our university clinic was supplemented with questions concerning cell phone use habits, including possession, daily standby position and daily transmission times. Semen analyses were performed by conventional methods. Statistics were calculated with SPSS statistical software. A total of 371 were included in the study. The duration of possession and the daily transmission time correlated negatively with the proportion of rapid progressive motile sperm (r = − 0.12 and r = − 0.19, respectively), and positively with the proportion of slow progressive motile sperm (r = 0.12 and r = 0.28, respectively). The low and high transmitter groups also differed in the proportion of rapid progressive motile sperm (48.7% vs. 40.6%). The prolonged use of cell phones may have negative effects on the sperm motility characteristics.

Is semen quality affected by male body fat distribution

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of semen parameters, sexual function‐related hormones and waist/hip ratio. Eighty‐one selected patients presenting with infertility were examined. Weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and reproduction‐related hormone levels were determined. Semen was analysed by conventional methods. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, total sperm count, total motile sperm cell number, rapid progressive motile sperm count and reproduction‐related hormone levels [follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, 17β‐oestradiol and sexual hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG)]. Significant correlations were found: (i) weight, waist circumference and hip circumference versus testosterone level, SHBG level, and testosterone/17β‐oestradiol ratio; (ii) hip circumference versus sperm concentration; (iii) waist circumference and hip circumference versus sperm count, total motile sperm cell number and rapid progressive motile sperm count; (iv) weight versus total sperm count and total motile sperm cell number; (v) waist circumference and hip circumference versus prolactin level (positively) and SHBG (negatively); (vi) waist circumference and waist/hip ratio versus semen volume. It can be concluded that the waist/hip ratio is correlated with the reproductive hormone levels. Although both the waist circumference and hip circumference correlated with the semen characteristics, the waist/hip ratio did not.

EFFECT OF BODY WEIGHT ON TESTOSTERONE/ESTRADIOL RATIO IN OLIGOZOOSPERMIC PATIENTS

To evaluate the effect of body mass on the hormonal and semen profiles of subfertile men with oligozoospemia, sperm concentration and reproductive hormone levels were compared in two body mass index (BMI) groups: underweight or normal weight patients (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) vs. overweight or obese patients (BMI > 25 kg/m2). The mean BMI was 27 ± 4.6 kg/m2. The testosterone/estradiol ratio was significantly reduced in the high BMI group as compared to the low BMI group (17 ± 4 vs. 12 ± 3; p < 0.05). A similar difference was found in the sperm concentration (11.2 ± 3.16 × 106/ml vs. 8.1 ± 2.6 × 106/ml). A nonsignificant difference was found in the LH/FSH ratio (1.41 ± 0.64 vs. 1.63 ± 0.72). We concluded that obesity and the consequent estrogen excess decrease the sperm concentration by influencing the hypothalamo-pituitary system.

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in neonates with intra-uterine growth retardation

Abstract Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) is an abnormality of pregnancy. Neonates with IUGR weigh less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between IUGR and the antioxidant status. Cord blood of 157 neonates with normal weight (control group) and 29 neonates with IUGR were included. The following parameters were determined and compared in the two groups: lipid peroxidation in the plasma, red blood cells and erythrocyte ghosts; protein and DNA damage; antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase); the level of reduced glutathione; and the ferric reducing ability of the plasma. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in the IUGR group. The antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of antioxidants were significantly lower in the IUGR group. Damage of proteins and DNA was slightly, but non-significantly, higher in the IUGR group. Neonates with IUGR seem to have significant deficiencies in antioxidant defence. IUGR is correlated with significant oxidative stress.

Effect of body weight on sperm concentration in normozoospermic males

A total of 274 men (aged: 26 ± 4.9 years) with normozoospermia were enrolled into this study. Their body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) varied between 17 and 39. According to BMI, the patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: 17–20, Group 2: 20.1–25, Group 3: 25.1–30 and Group 4: 30.1–39. Twenty-nine subjects were found in the first, 96 in the second, 91 in the third and 58 men in the fourth group. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in the obese group (29 × 106/ml, p < 0.05) than in the group of BMI 17–20, 20–25 and 25–30. In advance, in the obese group, sperm count continuously decreased with aging. We conclude that obesity is associated with a lower sperm count in case of normozoospermia.

Benefits of Periodontal Therapy When Preterm Birth Threatens

There is growing evidence that chronic periodontitis may be a risk factor for pre-term birth. The goal of this intervention study was to determine the effect of periodontal treatment on the pregnancy outcome in women with threatening pre-term birth and initial localized chronic periodontitis. Forty-one women with a singleton pregnancy were enrolled in the study. For this treatment group, oral hygiene instruction and periodontal therapy were provided in the third trimester, while those in the control group (42 persons) did not receive any periodontal treatment. In the treatment group, the mean weight of newborns was 3079.0 g, compared with the control group mean of 2602.4 g. The incidence of pre-term birth and low birthweight in the treatment group was significantly less than in the control group (p = 0.015). Periodontal treatment completed before the 35th week appeared to have a beneficial effect on birth weight and time of delivery.

Is adolescent pregnancy associated with adverse perinatal outcome

Abstract Background: The number of teenage pregnancies has increased throughout the world and these pregnancies are reported in association with a higher rate of maternal and fetal complications. Aim of the study: To evaluate the social surroundings; the results of ante-, intrapartum surveillance and perinatal outcome in adolescent pregnancies where mothers were below the age of 18. Methods: Between 1st January, 1991 and 31st December, 1996 there were 13 131 births at our department. During this period, 209 newborns were born of 207 adolescent mothers. We compared the data of adolescent mothers with the data of all mothers who delivered in Hungary during the study period. Results: 39 (18.6%) from 209 newborns were delivered before 37th week of gestation, and 34 (16.3%) newborns showed signs of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The rate of primiparous adolescent mothers was 72.0%, 131 (63.3%) were primigravidae, and 136 (65.7%) received adequate prenatal care. Maternal complications (pregnancy induced hypertension, threatened preterm delivery, gestational diabetes and pretal eclampsia) and adverse perinatal outcome (higher rate of IUGR and perinatal mortality) were found more frequently in adolescent pregnancies. Conclusions: As young maternal age is associated with an increased risk of unfavourable fetal outcome, teenage mothers need improved prenatal care and increased observation during labour. In addition, improvement of the social environment of adolescents and the prevention of teenage pregnancies should be recommended.

Index Finger Movement Imitation by Human Neonates: Motivation, Learning, and Left-Hand Preference

Imitation of a fine motor movement, index finger protrusion, was examined in 39 neonates using an ethologically based objective coding system. Results confirmed that imitation of finger movements exists, and infants demonstrated “learning” as imitation developed through an incomplete imitation stage. Neonatal imitation was more frequently left-handed, an early sign of laterality in motivation to be investigated further. The existence of index finger imitation in human neonates indicates that volitional control of individuated finger movements develops much earlier than previously thought. The differential increase of index finger protrusion movements during the imitation periods suggests that this behavior is not an automatic response triggered by general arousal but instead is a true indicator of purposeful neonatal imitation.

Increased nuchal translucency and congenital heart defects in euploid fetuses: The Szeged experience

OBJECTIVE To determine the utility of the first-trimester fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in the prediction of fetal cardiac malformations. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medical Genetics, University of Szeged. METHODS The pre- and postnatal course and outcome, and the relationship between the first-trimester fetal NT thickness and fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) in 4309 pregnancies ended up with birth or therapeutic abortion between January 1998 and June 2000 were registered. Prenatal care included first- and second-trimester fetal sonography at weeks 10-13 and 18-20, respectively. RESULTS 4251 births and 58 first- and second-trimester therapeutic abortions due to lethal congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities were recorded. Altogether 209 (4.9%) congenital malformations were detected, 39 (18.7%) of which were heart defects with normal karyotype. At birth, 151 congenital malformations were diagnosed, 34 of them were known prenatally. The prevalence of CHDs was 9 per 1000 pregnancies. The measurement of fetal NT thickness was available in 35 of the 39 fetuses with heart defects: it was > or = 3 mm in 18 (51.4%) and <3 mm in 17 (48.6%). A sensitivity of 51.4% was found at a cutoff of 3mm. CONCLUSIONS An increased NT thickness in chromosomally normal fetuses was found to be highly associated with CHDs and identified in more than half of the affected cases. Furthermore, an increased NT of > or = 3 mm can be regarded a selection criterion for early second-trimester targeted fetal echocardiography and for increased fetal and neonatal surveillance.

Obstetric and neonatal risk of pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology: a matched control study

Background.  The aim of the study was to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcome of pregnancies after assisted reproduction technology (ART) in comparison with matched controls from spontaneous pregnancies.