Grace M. Centola

Cadmium concentrations in blood and seminal plasma: correlations with sperm number and motility in three male populations (infertility patients, artificial insemination donors, and unselected volunteers).

To investigate a possible common environmental exposure that may partially explain the observed decrease in human semen quality, we correlated seminal plasma and blood cadmium levels with sperm concentration and sperm motility. We studied three separate human populations: group 1, infertility patients (Long Island, NY, USA); group 2, artificial insemination donors (AID) (Rochester, NY, USA); and group 3, general population volunteers (Rochester, NY, USA). Information about confounding factors was collected by questionnaire. Seminal plasma cadmium did not correlate with blood cadmium (Spearman correlation, n = 91, r = −0.092, P = 0.386, NS). Both blood and seminal plasma cadmium were significantly higher among infertility patients than the other subjects studied (for example, median seminal plasma cadmium was 0.282 µg/L in infertility patients versus 0.091 µg/L in AID and 0.092 µg/L in general population volunteers; Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). The percentage of motile sperm and sperm concentration correlated inversely with seminal plasma cadmium among the infertility patients (r = −0.201, P < 0.036 and r = −189, P < 0.05, respectively), but not in the other two groups. Age (among infertility patients) was the only positive confounder correlating with seminal plasma cadmium. To validate our human findings in an animal model, we chronically exposed adolescent male Wistar rats to low-moderate cadmium in drinking water. Though otherwise healthy, the rats exhibited decreases in epididymal sperm count and sperm motility associated with cadmium dose and time of exposure. Our human and rat study results are consistent with the hypothesis that environmental cadmium exposures may contribute significantly to reduced human male sperm concentration and sperm motility.

Seasonal variations and age-related changes in human sperm count, motility, motion parameters, morphology, and white blood cell concentration

OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of any seasonal variations and age-related changes in sperm parameters in andrology patients and fertile donors. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING University medical center andrology laboratory. PATIENT(S) The database of 2,065 semen analyses was retrospectively reviewed for the period of March 1, 1996, to October 31, 1998. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S) The sperm count, motility, motile count, progressive straightline velocity, and percentage of rapid sperm were determined with the Hamilton-Thorne IVOS analyzer with standard setup parameters. RESULT(S) There were no significant seasonal differences in the patients volume, sperm count, motility, motile count, whereas the percentage of rapid sperm and progressive straightline velocity were significantly lower in the spring. Correlation analysis of patient semen parameters versus age implied that as age increases there is a tendency for these semen parameters to decrease, whereas percent tail defects showed a significant positive correlation with age. CONCLUSION(S) Age-adjusted analyses of seasonal variations in andrology patient semen parameters showed significant seasonal variation in the percentage rapid motile sperm and straightline velocity, as well as the percent tail defects, percent immature sperm, and the percent tapered sperm. Such seasonal variations might prove to be clinically relevant and important when designing experimental protocols.

Comparison of sperm separation methods: effect on recovery, motility, motion parameters, and hyperactivation

Abstract Objective: To compare the Enhance (Percoll; Conception Technologies, San Diego, CA) and PureSperm (Gen X International, Madison, CT) sperm preparation methods with respect to recovery (percentage of motile sperm), motility (%), path and progressive velocities (μm/s), and hyperactivation (%). Design: Comparison of sperm processing methods. Setting: University medical center–based clinical andrology laboratory and infertility program. Patient(s): Twenty-five men who presented for semen analysis. Intervention(s): Each of 25 semen specimens were divided and each aliquot was prepared using two different density gradient centrifugation methods. Main Outcome Measure(s): The motile sperm recovery, percent motility, motion parameters, and percent hyperactivation were measured for each semen specimen (n = 25) before and after separation with the use of the two methods. Result(s): There was no difference in the percent motility and motile count between specimens prepared with Enhance (Percoll) and PureSperm and fresh specimens. Statistically significant differences were found (fresh versus test) in the velocities and in hyperactivation (PureSperm only), and no differences were found between the processing methods. Conclusion(s): PureSperm appears to be as effective as Percoll (Enhance) for the recovery of good, progressively motile sperm for use in IUI or other assisted reproductive techniques.

Storage of cryopreserved reproductive tissues: evidence that cross-contamination of infectious agents is a negligible risk.

A misconception in the field of reproductive medicine is that there is a significant risk of cross-contamination during gamete or embryo cryostorage. This article is a review of the available literature on animal models and human IVF and it suggests otherwise. There is a negligible risk of cross-contamination in IVF working conditions.

Seminal lead concentrations negatively affect outcomes of artificial insemination

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationships among seminal lead levels, acrosome status, and artificial insemination cycle fecundity (AI f) in semen donors. DESIGN Longitudinal analysis of seminal lead levels, sperm function testing, and fecundity. SETTING University medical center andrology and research laboratories. PATIENT(S) Semen donors (n = 15) participating in a therapeutic donor insemination program. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Seminal plasma lead levels, acrosome sensitivity to progesterone (P) and voltage-gated potassium channel inhibitors (e.g., charybdotoxin [CBTx]), and AI f. RESULT(S) Seminal plasma lead levels and AI f were strongly negatively correlated. Semen donors were divided into three groups by acrosome response to P: normal (CBTx sensitive [Rs] or CBTx resistant [Rr]: responders) and reduced (nonresponders [NR]) (Rs > Rr >> NR). Seminal lead differed among the three groups (NR > Rr > Rs). Comparison of 330 artificial insemination cycles from four Rs, four Rr, and two NR demonstrated that cycle AI f also differed significantly between groups (Rs >Rr >>NR). CONCLUSION(S) Measurements of seminal plasma lead, P-stimulated acrosome loss, and sensitivity to CBTx may provide prognostic information on the fertility status of potential donors as well as male infertility patients. Such evaluations may assist in donor acceptance, or in the case of patients, in selection of the appropriate treatment regimen.

Metal ions and human sperm mannose receptors

Zinc and lead concentrations were measured in seminal plasma from fertile donors, infertile men with varicocoele and men undergoing work‐ups for in vitro fertilization. Ejaculated spermatozoa from these subjects were incubated in vitro with various metal ions and/or dibromoethane and dibromochloropropane. Mannose receptor expression was correlated with metal and toxicant levels. Sperm distributions of potassium channels were compared with lead ions and calcium channels with zinc ions. Mannose receptor expression by capacitated spermatozoa increased linearly with seminal plasma zinc levels, and correlated inversely with lead levels. Cobalt had no effect on mannose receptor expression, but nickel had a concentration‐dependent biphasic effect. Mannose receptor expression was not affected by dibromoethane and dibromochloropropane if the cholesterol content of the sperm membrane was high, but mannose receptor expression was decreased in low cholesterol spermatozoa by exposures below estimated permissive exposure limits. Potassium channels and lead ions co‐localized over the entire head of human spermatozoa, while both calcium channels and zinc ions were confined to the equatorial segment of the head. Mannose receptor expression on the external surface of the human sperm plasma membrane is a biomarker for the effects of transition and heavy metals and organic toxicants on sperm fertility potential.

Pregnancy rates after double versus single insemination with frozen donor semen.

Ninety-nine females (mean age 34 years +/- 1) were seen for therapeutic donor insemination using frozen semen. All patients used over-the-counter urinary ovulation predictor kits, with the insemination scheduled either the day after the positive test (group I; n = 46) or consecutively the day of and the day after the positive test (group II; n = 53). Group I patients underwent a total of 113 cycles of insemination (mean 2.5 cycles/patient). Seven pregnancies were achieved in group I for an overall success of 15.2% and a monthly fecundability of 0.06. Group II patients underwent a total of 100 cycles of therapeutic donor insemination (mean of 1.9 cycles/patient). Twenty-one pregnancies were achieved in this group for an overall success rate of 39.6% and fecundability of 0.21. The estimated cumulative probability of conception (F) for 6 months was 0.32 in group I and 0.78 in group II. These data indicate that the F after therapeutic donor insemination with frozen semen is greater if two consecutive inseminations are performed at midcycle.

Dose-response effects of gramicidin-D, EDTA, and nonoxynol-9 on sperm motion parameters and acrosome status

Previous reports showed that gramicidin-D (G-D), a polypeptide with antiviral and antimicrobial properties, nonoxynol-9 (N9), a common spermicidal detergent, and EDTA, a Ca-Mg chelating agent, inhibited sperm motility and cervical mucus penetration. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose-response effects of G-D, N9, EDTA and G-D + EDTA on sperm motion parameters and acrosome status. Semen specimens from known fertile donors were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis of motility, path velocity, progressive velocity, and hyperactivation prior to and after incubation with varying concentrations of gramicidin-D, EDTA and nonoxynol-9. Each specimen was also prepared for acrosome status using rhodamine isothiocyanate conjugated pisum sativum agglutinin (RITC-PSA). There was a significant decrease in motility by G-D, EDTA, G-D + EDTA, and N9 at all doses as compared to the fresh specimen. N9 completely immobilized all sperm at each dose. Progressive velocity and path velocity also decreased in a dose-response manner. Sperm hyperactive motility also significantly decreased in all groups. The majority of sperm remained acrosome intact following exposure to all doses tested, whereas N9 resulted in complete breakdown/release of the acrosomal contents. This study confirms previous reports that G-D, EDTA, and N9 significantly impair sperm motility and motion parameters. The effective 100% inhibitory concentration was seen only with N9, whereas G-D, EDTA, and G-D + EDTA resulted in incomplete impairment of sperm motion parameters. At the concentrations used, N9 demonstrated potent spermostatic activity. Gramicidin-D and EDTA should be further studied for their potential contraceptive spermostatic activity.

Comparison of Sperm Separation Methods: Effect on Recover, Motility, Motion Parameters, and Hyperactivation

OBJECTIVE To compare the Enhance (Percoll; Conception Technologies, San Diego, CA) and PureSperm (Gen X International, Madison, CT) sperm preparation methods with respect to recovery (percentage of motile sperm), motility (%), path and progressive velocities (microm/s), and hyperactivation (%). DESIGN Comparison of sperm processing methods. SETTING University medical center-based clinical andrology laboratory and infertility program. PATIENT(S) Twenty-five men who presented for semen analysis. INTERVENTION(S) Each of 25 semen specimens were divided and each aliquot was prepared using two different density gradient centrifugation methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The motile sperm recovery, percent motility, motion parameters, and percent hyperactivation were measured for each semen specimen (n=25) before and after separation with the use of the two methods. RESULT(S) There was no difference in the percent motility and motile count between specimens prepared with Enhance (Percoll) and PureSperm and fresh specimens. Statistically significant differences were found (fresh versus test) in the velocities and in hyperactivation (PureSperm only), and no differences were found between the processing methods. CONCLUSION(S) PureSperm appears to be as effective as Percoll (Enhance) for the recovery of good, progressively motile sperm for use in IUI or other assisted reproductive techniques.