D. Allalouf

Sialic Acid Content of Human Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Relation to Sperm Counts

Sialic acid levels were determined in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of 47 semen samples divided into two groups according to sperm counts. Group 1, up to 40 x 10(6) sperm/ml seminal fluid and group 2, above 40 x 10(6) sperm/ml seminal fluid. The content of sialic acid in spermatozoa ranged from 4.4-28.1 micrograms/10(8) spermatozoa and from 70-95 mg/100 ml seminal plasma. Sialic acid was significantly higher in sperm and lower in seminal plasma of group 1 as compared to group 2. The lower content of sialic acid in seminal plasma might have a deteriorating effect on structural integrity of sperm.

Some Properties of Acid and Alkaline Phosphatase in Seminal Fluid and Isolated Sperm

Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were examined in spermatozoa isolated from 177 semen samples differing in sperm counts. Alkaline phosphatase was also determined in seminal fluid. The enzymes were assayed using disodium p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate and were studied with respect to susceptibility to various concentrations of tartrate (acid) and to heat (alkaline). Electrophoretic separation of alkaline phosphatase from seminal fluid was performed using an Helena apparatus. The results showed that acid phosphatase activity in spermatozoa decreased with increase in sperm densities and that elevation of tartrate from 0.028 to 0.17 M usually correlated an inhibition of the enzyme from 72% to 78% (mean values). Alkaline phosphatase was very low in sperm and generally below the sensitivity of the method used. Activity of alkaline phosphatase in seminal fluid showed a tendency to increase with the increase in sperm counts, but the significance of differences between groups was not statistically valid. Exposure of seminal fluid to 55 degrees C for 16 min resulted in enzyme inactivation of about 90% and in this respect the alkaline phosphatase resembles the enzyme of bone origin. The electrophoretic pattern, however, did not confirm this view and the type of alkaline phosphatase in seminal fluid is not clear.

Properties of testicular hyaluronidase of the honey bee and oriental hornet: Comparison with insect venom and mammalian hyaluronidases

Abstract 1. 1. The hyaluronidase of crude extracts from testes of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and of the oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) was found to possess activity in depolymerizing hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-6-sulfate with pH optima 4·5–5·0. 2. 2. With an increase in incubation temperature from 37 to 56°C the enzyme showed a gradual increase in activity, in contrast with bovine and ovine testicular hyaluronidases which were gradulaly inactivated. 3. 4. Preheating for 3 hr at 50°C did not affect activity. This stability was shared by the venom hyaluronidase from the same insects but not by the mammalian hyaluronidases which were almost completely inactivated.

Changes in glycosaminoglycan composition of normal human placentas with maturation

Crude glycosaminoglycan preparations were isolated from acetone-powder of first-, second-, and third-trimester human placentas. Glycosaminoglycan composition was examined by electrophoresis and densitometric scanning before and after treatment with testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase ABC. Hexosamines were determined in electrophoretic fractions in order to identify the individual glycosaminoglycans. The results showed a decrease in glycosaminoglycans and an increase in protein contents in the preparations as the placenta matured. The main glycosaminoglycans in all placentas were dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfates, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate. With aging of the placenta, the proportion of hyaluronic acid remained unchanged and that of chondroitin sulfate decreased, whereas the proportions of dermatan and heparan sulfates increased. Age-dependent changes in the glycosaminoglycan composition of the placenta appear to follow a pattern similar to that reported for other mammalian tissues.

Andrological Parameters in Men With High Sperm Counts and Possible Correlation With Age

Two hundred eighty six human semen samples with sperm counts above 200 million/ml, were divided into 3 groups according to semen volume: (1) less than 1 ml (low), (2) 1 ml-5 ml (normal), and (3) greater than or equal to 6 ml (high). Each group was examined for routine andrological parameters. Also examined was a possible correlation between sperm counts, semen volumes, and ages of patients. The quality of motility (percent and grade) and viability of sperm were generally lowest in specimens with a volume below 1 ml and highest in those of normal volume. Proportions of morphological normality exhibited a similar trend, lacking, however, statistical significance. The mean fructose content of low-volume semen was significantly decreased in comparison with those of normal volume. Patients with low-volume semen and sperm counts above 200 million/ml were older than those with similar sperm counts and normal volume. The mean ages of all patients with high sperm counts of semen were higher than of those with lower sperm counts. It was assumed that in contradiction to specimens with high sperm counts and low volume, those whose volumes range from 1 ml-5 ml should be considered normal with respect to motility, viability, and morphological normality.

Glycosaminoglycan patterns in diabetic and toxemic term placentas

Crude glycosaminoglycans were prepared from acetone powder of diabetic, toxemic, and normal term placentas. Glycosaminoglycan composition was determined by electrophoresis and densitometric scanning with and without treatment with testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase ABC. The identity of individual glycosaminoglycans was confirmed by the nature of their hexosamine. Glycosaminoglycan content was found to be significantly increased in diabetic placentas and increased to a lesser degree in the toxemic placentas. The amount of hyaluronic acid was elevated in both abnormal tissues, and heparan sulfate was slightly higher in diabetes, while unchanged in toxemia. Dermatan sulfate was markedly reduced in the abnormal placentas while chondroitin 4/6 sulfate was unaltered. An attempt was made to correlate the histopathologic changes reported to occur in these conditions with the alterations in the glycosaminoglycans patterns of placentas.

Sialyltransferase activity and sialic acid levels in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy.

A signficant elevation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell sialyltransferase activity (STA) was observed in 14 patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and compared to 7 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and to 10 controls. Serum sialyltransferase was significant higher in MM patients as compared to controls. It was also higher than in MGUS patients, but the difference here was not statistically significant. STA was also determined in mononuclear bone marrow cells of 5 patients with MM (with 50 to 100% plasma cells in the bone marrow aspirate) and found to be 19 times higher than that of bone marrow mononuclear cells from 6 patients with non‐malignant disorders (with less than 1% plasma cells in the bone marrow aspirate). No significant differences were observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cell sialic acid levels between MM, MGUS and controls.

β-Endorphin and calcitonin in human semen

The levels of β-endorphin (β-E) and calcitonin were estimated in 36 samples of seminal plasma from semen of normospermic, oligozoospermic, and azoospermic origins and in pools of isolated sperm. The mean levels in plasma calculated for all samples examined were 192. ± 224 pg/ml for β-E and 754 ± 397 pg/ml for calcitonin. The amounts in sperm were as follows: for β-E in pols with sperm counts of 0.1–10 × 106/ml, 157.2 ± 99.7 pg/108 and 27.9 ± 23.6 pg/ml protein; in pols of > 10–30 × 106/ml, 71.2 ± 41.5 pg/108 and 6.5 ± 1.2 pg/mg protein; in pools of > 30–200 × 106/ml, 24.9 ± 9.7 pg/108 and 61 ± 1.9 pg/mg protein. For calcitonin the amounts were: 501.2 ± 170.8 pg/108 and 27.4 ± 21.5 pg/mg protein, correspondingly. It was suggested that β-E and calcitonin present in seminal plasma are synthesized mostly in a compartment of the male reproductive system. The high cellular β-E and calcitonin levels would be involved in the process of motility through their effect on calcium transport.

Histochemical localization of acidic glycosaminoglycans in normal human placentae.

First-trimester and term placentae were studied histochemically with alcian blue stain before and after specific enzyme treatments. A specific deposition of glycosaminoglycans was detected in the villous stroma, fetal blood vessels and on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast, the latter being discontinuous and of variable thickness. Treatments of sections with hyaluronidases from Streptomyces and from bovine testes and with chondroitinase ABC indicated the presence of (1) chondroitin sulphates and hyaluronic acid mainly in the stroma; (2) heparan sulphate and dermatan sulphate associated with villous fetal blood vessels and the intervillous surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. It is suggested that the location of individual glycosaminoglycans could be related to their functions with regard to the maintenance of the structural integrity of the placenta by preventing its compression and to their involvement in blood anticoagulation and in lipid metabolism.

ATP contents of human semen, seminal plasma and isolated sperm at time intervals after ejaculation

1. ATP was estimated in 105 samples of human semen, seminal plasma and sperm of normozoospermic and oligozoospermic origins at time intervals after ejaculation. 2. In semen with sperm counts up to 40 millions per ml and in seminal plasma, ATP levels were lower than in specimens with higher sperm counts. 3. In isolated sperm, the ATP content decreased with the increase in sperm density. 4. The decrease in ATP after 24 hr was the highest in sperm, lower in semen and the lowest in seminal plasma, being maximal in specimens with high sperm counts.