In 146 males aged between 20 years and 40 years attending an infertility service, the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles was assessed by measurement of corrected seminal fructose concentration. This value was related to the presence of a positive semen culture, other evidence of inflammatory processes in the reproductive tract and sperm motility. Only 48% of subjects with a positive semen culture showed evidence of inflammation in the reproductive tract, as assessed by the presence of more than 20 white blood cells per high power field, and greater than 10% spermagglutination in the ejaculate. There was a relationship between the inflammatory process, hypofunction of the seminal vesicles and poor sperm motility. When the semen culture was positive but there was no evidence of inflammation neither seminal vesicle function nor sperm motility was affected. When the semen culture was negative, i.e. no evidence of inflammation and the subjects were asthenozoospermic, the corrected fructose levels were normal. It is proposed that in these conditions the cause of asthenozoospermia may be factors other than accessory sex organ dysfunction. In conclusion, there was no close relationship between the bacteriological results and evidence of inflammation of the accessory glands. A positive semen culture was related to lower levels of corrected fructose (hypofunction of the seminal vesicles) when the positive sperm culture was associated with inflammation of the reproductive tract and asthenozoospermia.

A cross sectional sample of 969 native males from Puno (Peru), altitude 3800 m, ranging in age from 7-20 years, and studied for body height, weight, sitting height, leg length, and chest circumference in 1980, were compared, from the point of view of secular trend, with another cross sectional sample of 992 native males from the same place, which were investigated in 1945. In addition, similar observations were carried out in 1980, in a group of 112 females. The data indicate that in Puno there has been no secular increment in the adult body size. However for all ages between 7 and 19 years, body weight and height were significantly greater in 1980 than in 1945. This may be due to earlier sexual maturation in the present generation.

No abstract

Stature and weight of native children, adolescents, and adults at Huancayo , Peru (3,280 meters), were measured in 1977, 1978, and 1982 and compared with mean statures and weights reported in previous studies. The data indicate that in Huancayo there has been a secular increment in child stature, sitting height, and weight from 1937 to 1978-1982. The observed changes in stature are related to a proportionally greater increment in leg length relative to trunk length. It is concluded that the observed secular increase in body size reflects changes in the standard of living and a greater influx of nonnative populations, which are usually characterized by greater stature than natives.

Seventy men, aged 20-40 years, who were attending an infertility clinic were studied to evaluate associations between seminal quality, whole blood serotonin, and serum testosterone levels. Men with blood serotonin levels greater than 100 ng/ml showed lower sperm counts and sperm motility than those with normal levels of blood serotonin (less than 90 ng/ml). Seminal volume, pH, sperm morphology, fructose, citric acid, and serum testosterone values were similar between groups of patients with different levels of blood serotonin. The levels of blood serotonin correlated best with sperm motility when using a cubic regression analysis. When blood serotonin increased from 50 to 90 ng/ml (normal range), there was an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with excellent motility. However, when serotonin was above 90 ng/ml the percentage of sperm with excellent motility decreased. An inverse exponential relationship was observed between blood serotonin and sperm count. The sperm count reached values of oligozoospermia when blood serotonin was over 100 ng/ml. It would appear that blood serotonin in the normal range is important for sperm motility. Values of serotonin above the normal range could affect negatively both sperm count and motility. These effects were observed in the absence of changes in serum testosterone levels.