The influence of E. coli on human sperm motility was studied in vitro. Semen samples were prepared by a swim-up technique and adjusted to 22 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. Samples were then inoculated with different concentrations of a uropathogenic strain of E. coli, serotype 06, with initial sperm/bacteria ratios varying between 10:1 and 10000:1. Motion parameters were analysed by computer-aided motility analysis directly, and 2, 4 and 6 h after inoculation. In a second series of experiments, bacterial replication was inhibited by addition of chloramphenicol. In a third series, the effect of E. coli culture filtrates on sperm motility was investigated. The direct inhibitory effect of E. coli on progressive motility of spermatozoa was found to depend upon the bacterial concentration. A distinct inhibitory effect was observed only at a sperm/bacteria ratio of approximately 1, achieved by growth of E. coli during the experiments. For modality of motion, no distinct changes were observed. When growth of bacteria was prevented by chloramphenicol, no inhibitory effect on sperm motility was detected. Sperm motility was not inhibited by E. coli culture filtrates. Analysis by electron microscopy revealed multiple adhesions of E. coli to spermatozoa, causing variable ultrastructural damage as probable morphological correlates of immobilization.

No abstract

The feasibility of using a vaccine against luteinizing-hormone-releasing factor for suppression of pituitary and gonadal functions has been indicated for some time. Antibody production against this low-molecular-weight, naturally occurring decapeptide, however, requires to be coupled to a carrier protein to enhance its immunogenicity. LHRH was coupled to diphtheria toxoid (DT). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean basal body weight of 200 g were immunized with anti-LHRH-DT (20 micrograms/injection/rat) at four-week intervals. An equal number of unexposed animals served as controls. Six animals were killed every two weeks up the end of the week 43. The vaccination schedule did not have any effect on the gain in body weight, nor was any adverse effect of vaccination observed in the course of the investigations. The pituitary, prostate, epididymis, testes, seminal vesicles, adrenal and thyroid were excised for determination of organ weight and histological examination. The adrenal, pituitary and thyroid showed no remarkable weight changes during the observation period, whereas the weights of the reproductive organs demonstrated significant reductions compared to those of the control group. The histopathology revealed marked to significant changes in the gonads and the accessory sex organs including the prostate. A progressive phase of regeneration of spermatogenesis was evident 98 days after vaccination. Total recovery of spermatogenesis was observed 300 days after vaccination. The mating studies showed the return of fertility 300 days after vaccination. The litters borne were normal. Prostate showed recovery after 154 days of vaccination. Our observations lend strong support to the hypothesis that anti-LHRH vaccine can be effectively used on the management of prostate carcinoma. If the vaccination is given together with a suitable dose of long-acting androgen, contained in an adequate delivery system, the regimen may be used for the regulation of male fertility.

Summary. The ultrastructure of bull and boar spermatozoa was investigated following different cryopreparation methods and chemical fixation. Spray-freezing was used for cryofixation in both freeze-etching and freeze-drying studies. Freeze-etching of boar spermatozoa revealed that the arrangement of the postnuclear striations differed from that in the bull. Freeze-drying gave excellent results for structural preservation, which were equal to those of chemical fixation. Some structural details not visible in chemically fixed cells were detected in freeze-dried and vacuum-embedded bull and boar spermatozoa, e.g. the arrangement of the lamellar nuclear contents, known from freeze\x=req-\ fractures, and a fine lamellar structure of the acrosomal contents. Cryofixation by spray-freezing combined with freeze-drying makes any contact of the cells with fixatives, buffer solutions and dehydration media unnecessary, and potentially provides all the advantages of ultrathin sectioning required for histochemical studies.

A group of 20 patients with torsion was investigated. The study indicated that immediate surgical intervention with a period of torsion of the testis of less than 6 h will prevent impairment of testicle function. The histology of testicular biopsies taken from such patients revealed only interstitial oedema and, at the most, partial necrosis. If torsion time exceeded 6 h testicular histology revealed severe alterations, and surgical correction could not prevent atrophy of the testis. Patients with pathological spermiograms showed FSH values over or at the upper limit of the normal range. As far as can be concluded from one single basal hormone determination, the testosterone secretion remained unaltered. Libido, potency and virilization remained normal.