Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare fucose and sialic acid residue expression on fibronectin and α1-acid glycoprotein in the seminal plasma of men suspected of infertility and suffering from leukocytospermia. Subjects and methods: Seminal ejaculates were collected from 27 leukocytospermic and 18 healthy, normozoospermic men. The relative degree of fucosylation and sialylation of fibronectin and α1-acid glycoprotein was estimated by ELISA using fucose and sialic acid specific lectins from Aleuria aurantia, Lotus tetragonolobus, and Ulex europaeus as well as Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra, respectively. Results: Leukocytospermic seminal fibronectin, in comparison with fibronectin of normal fertile group, showed lower relative reactivity with AAL, LTA and UEA, and higher reactivity with MAA and SNA, while the AGP of the leukocytospermic group was less reactive with AAL, and the relative reactivity with LTA and MAA was significantly higher. Fibronectin and α1-acid glycoprotein reactivity with UEA and MAA showed high positive correlations. Discussion: Leukocytospermia was associated with the alterations of terminal monosaccharide expression in human seminal fibronectin and α1-acid glycoprotein. The increase of sialyl-Lewisx antigen in α1-acid glycoprotein can be used as a marker of genital tract inflammation manifested by leukocytospermia.

The objective of the study was to determine uterine motility during the postpartum period in cattle. In the present study spontaneous uterine activity was recorded during postpartum period using electrodes which were surgically implanted into the myometrium 4-6 weeks before parturition. After the placenta has been released 4-8 hours post part, spontaneous uterine motility drastically decreased until the second week post part.. The effects of oxytocin, depotocin, prostaglandin, ergometrin, detomidin on the uterine contractility, during postpartum period were investigated. Oxytocin and carbotocin given intravenously always provoked strong uterine contractions. Prostaglandin F2alpha and detomidinum HC1 stimulated uterine activity in the early puerperium. Following administration of ergometrin unequal response was recorded. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed daily with real time B-mode scanner equipped with a 5.0 MHz linear-array transducer (Aloka 210, Pie Medical). 10 multiparous Black-White-Holstein cows between 2 and 4 years old and 550-650 kg b.w. were used. A 6-min scan of the longitudinal view of the uterine body was recorded using video cassette recorder connected to the ultrasound scanner. A scoring system was used to determines uterine motility. Contractility scores were higher just after parturition then in the following times. Blood samples were collected daily from jugular vein for plasma progesterone and estrogen concentrations. Changes in uterine activity were associated with plasma progesterone and estrogen level.

The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reaction as a tracer of oxidative stress was examined in 707 ejaculates from seven clinics. Semen was initially surveyed by classifying the NBT reaction using a pre-established rank for the Oxisperm® test based on three colourimetric levels: L1, low (n = 141 [20%]); L2, medium (n = 538 [76%]) and L3, high (n = 28 [4%]). L3 was indicative of a high level of superoxide anions. Halosperm® chromatin dispersion assay was used to analyse samples of ejaculates 30 min after ejaculation; no difference was found in DNA fragmentation of L1 or L3; L3 category semen samples incubated for 24 h at 37C showed a significantly faster rate (P < 0.001) of DNA damage than those in L1. The NBT reaction was further characterized in the ejaculates of 100 patients to determine the relative contribution of seminal plasma, spermatozoa, or both. Seminal plasma was the most significant fraction of •O localization, whereas sperm fractions generated detectable reactive oxygen species in only 32% of the ejaculates. Formazan precipitates were primarily associated with the sperm mid-piece and seminal leukocytes; however, not all spermatozoa stained positive to formazan and not all leukocytes presented with equivalent production of superoxide anions.

Seminal fibronectin showed an oncofetal type of sialylation and the distribution of hypo- and asialylated fibronectin glycoforms were associated with abnormal semen parameters and with high concentrations of fibronectin.

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