Walter Cardona Maya

The effects of male age on semen parameters: analysis of 1364 men attending an andrology center

Although the effect of maternal age on fertility is well known, it is unclear whether paternal age also affects fertility. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish an association between the age of the individuals from Medellin, Colombia with semen volume, rapid progressive motility (a), total progressive motility (a + b) and concentration. We evaluated semen volume using a graduated tube, progressive motility using light microscopy (40×) and sperm concentration using a Makler Chamber. Semen samples were grouped according to age into three arbitrary groups (≤ to 30 years; between 31 and 39 years; and ≥ to 40 years). The semen volume, rapid progressive motility (a) and total progressive motility (a + b), concentration and total sperm count were found to be inversely related to age (p < 0.05). The reduction in semen parameters of 1364 men attending an andrology center was associated with increasing age of the individuals.

Functional evaluation of sperm in colombian fertile men

Resumen en: Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate in 111 ejaculates from fertile men membrane integrity of spermatozoa before selection and sperm m...

Low-level HIV infection of hepatocytes

BackgroundThere are only limited data on whether HIV infection occurs within the liver; therefore, we explored early and late stages of the HIV life cycle in two hepatocyte cell lines – Huh7.5 and Huh7.5JFH1 – as well as in primary human hepatocytes.ResultsIntegrated HIV DNA was detected in Huh7.5 and Huh7.5JFH1 cells, as well as in primary hepatocytes, and was inhibited by the integrase inhibitor raltegravir in a dose-dependent manner. HIV p24 protein was also detected in cell culture supernatants at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 post-infection and was inhibited by AZT, although levels were modest compared to those in a lymphocyte cell line. Culture supernatants from HIV-infected hepatocytes were capable of infecting a non-hepatic HIV indicator cell line.ConclusionsThese results indicating low-level HIV replication in hepatoctyes in vitro complement evidence suggesting that HIV has deleterious effects on the liver in vivo.

Differential protein expression in seminal plasma from fertile and infertile males

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze human seminal plasma proteins in association with male fertility status using the proteomic mass spectrometry technology Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (SELDI-TOF-MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen analysis was performed using conventional methods. Protein profiles of the seminal plasma were obtained by SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry over a strong anion exchanger, ProteinChip® Q10 array. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found statistically significant differences in motility and sperm count between fertile and infertile men. In addition, we observed ten seminal proteins that are significantly up-regulated in the infertile group. In conclusion, comparison of seminal plasma proteome in fertile and infertile men provides new aspects in the physiology of male fertility and might help in identifying novel markers of male infertility.

Lack of Association between Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Inherited Thrombophilia in a Group of Colombian Patients.

Studies have shown an association between recurrent pregnancy loss and inherited thrombophilia in Caucasian populations, but there is insufficient knowledge concerning triethnic populations such as the Colombian. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether inherited thrombophilia is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Methods. We conducted a case-control study of 93 patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (cases) and 206 healthy multiparous women (controls) in a Colombian subpopulation. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers of the inherited thrombophilias factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Activated protein C resistance and plasma levels of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S were also measured. Results. The frequency of thrombophilia-associated SNPs, activated protein C resistance, and anticoagulant protein deficiencies, was low overall, except for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T SNP. The differences between patients and controls had no statistical significance. Conclusion. Our study confirms the low prevalence of inherited thrombophilias in non-Caucasian populations and it is unlikely that the tested thrombophilias play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss in this Colombian population.

Espermocultivo: crecimiento bacteriano del eyaculado y su relación con los parámetros seminales

SUMMARY Background: Microorganisms can find the optimal conditions for survival in semen, causing damage to the spermatozoa and triggering processes of infertility or reproductive tract infections. Therefore, understanding the role of the microorganisms present in semen can help to improve the diagnosis of infertility cases where the only apparent cause is infectious processes. Objective: To describe and correlate semen parameters and bacterial growth in ejaculate. Methods: Identification of microorganisms isolated in 43 clinical spermocultures and 28 research spermocultures. We assessed colony-forming unit counts and sperm characteristics of research spermocultures. In addition, semen parameters were evaluated in each ejaculate. Results: Bacterial growth was obtained in 14 (32.6%) of the 43 clinical spermocultures and 15 (53.6%) of the 28 research spermocultures. The isolated microorganisms were Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus coagulase negative, Klebsiella pneumoniae and mixed microbiota. Finally, in this study a large growth of aerobic cocci was observed. We did not find association between the decline in the quality of semen parameters and microorganisms. Conclusion: The presence of bacteria in semen does not affect semen quality.

La importancia clínica del ADN espermático en el análisis seminal cotidiano

RESUMEN El objetivo de este reporte es resaltar la importancia de las pruebas funcionales para evaluar la calidad seminal durante el analisis seminal de rutina. Se analizo mediante citometria de flujo el potencial mito-condrial, la integridad de la membrana espermatica, la produccion de especies reactivas del oxigeno y la suceptibilidad de fragmentacion del ADN espermatico, en un paciente que consulto por infertilidad al Grupo Reproduccion de la Universidad de Antioquia. Se encontro una produccion basal de especies reactivas del oxigeno junto con una actividad mitocondrial alto y un porcentaje elevado de espermatozoides con su membrana plasmatica integra, siendo estos indicadores de una buena calidad espermatica; no obstante, se observo una elevada suceptibilidad de fragmentacion del material genetico (DFI=42%). A pesar que un hombre aparentemente manifiesta caracteristicas espermaticas de un individuo sano puede que la calidad del material genetico de sus espermatozoides este incidiendo sobre su exito reproductivo.PALABRAS CLAVES:

Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder: a case report

The case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with one year history of pelvic pain and occasional dysuria is reported. Computed tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed a well defined intramural bladder mass. The histological findings of the surgical specimen confirmed a leiomyoma of the urinary bladder. The clinical presentation,imaging findings and management of this relatively rare benign tumor are discussed.

Estrés oxidativo: ¿un estado celular defectuoso para la función espermática?

SUMMARY Living organisms regulate the load of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by a complex homeostatic system, capable of maintaining physiological levels of ROS, necessary for the action and regulation of some biomolecules. In parallel, organisms harbor biochemical protection systems against oxidative stress, consisting of an unbalance state between oxygen reactive chemical species and antioxidant defense production; this kind of biochemical stress has been shown to contribute to cellular senescence and the development of different diseases. In the reproductive field, the spermatic cells undergo a serial of physiological changes during the maturation, capacitation and fertilization process. Such changes include the modification of proteins regulated by signals from the sperm environment, where ROS modulate important biochemical pathways involved in fundamental processes of sperm function, and that could be altered under oxidative stress conditions. The objective of this review is to describe some of the processes that contribute to oxidative stress and its implications on sperm functionality.

Re: A Common Mutation in the Defensin DEFB126 Causes Impaired Sperm Function and Subfertility

diffusion of the technique. Few patients have to be recruited; they should be selected for specific characteristics and under a severe regulatory process. We are looking at advances in urethral reconstruction with the hope that in the laboratory we might one day grow individually customised biologic urethra replacements for patients. Of course, such a revolutionary technique might sooner or later face cuts in expenditures on health care resulting from economic conditions, and we have a substantial way to go before such a dream is to be realised. However, there is room for hope.