Classification and quantification of abnormal sperm along the epididymal tract. Comparison between adult and aged hamsters

Calvo, Alfonso; Martínez, E. A.; Pastor, Luis Miguel; Vázquez, J.M.; Roca, José María López

doi:10.1051/rnd:19970605

Cited by 14 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…All the alterations we observed in the epididymis of aged animals probably also affect sperm maturation. We previously found that the epididymis is responsible for the increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm in aged hamsters (Calvo et al, 1997b). However, both the epididymis and testis (which is seriously altered in the aged hamster) are probably responsible for the impairing of reproductive ability that hamsters suffer during aging.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Age-related changes in the hamster epididymis

et al. 1999

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Reproductive ability is decreased in aged animals and in men. Little is known about the changes taking place in the epididymis, and the possible influence on the loss of sperm quality. We studied the age-related alterations in the epididymis and in epididymal spermatozoa of hamsters. Adult (6-month-old), middle-aged (18-month-old), and aged (24-month-old) hamsters were used. Serum samples were obtained to determine testosterone levels. Testes and epididymides were removed and studied by light and electron microscopy. Epididymal sperm was also obtained and the motility, position of cytoplasmic droplet, and concentration were evaluated. Measurements of the height of the epithelium, length of stereocilia, external tubular diameter, and thickness of the muscular wall were performed. The proliferative activity was also studied. An ANOVA analysis was used to compare quantitative differences between epididymal zones and age groups. Aged hamsters presented involutive changes in the epididymis. A decrease in tubular diameter was found in cauda; principal cell ultrastructure showed changes including the appearance of damaged mitochondria, bundles of filaments, and the accumulation of lipofuscin. Some clear cells showed an unusual morphology by the presence of large electrondense vacuoles. A reduction in sperm quality was also observed, including a decrease in sperm motility and concentration, and alterations in the migration of sperm cytoplasmic droplet. Testosterone levels and cellular proliferative activity did not change. Aging causes a morphological alteration of hamster epididymis (mainly in the cauda), and a decrease in sperm quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Little is known about the alterations of sperm present in the epididymis of aged animals. We have previously observed that aged hamsters present a higher percentage of abnormal sperm (evaluated by light and electron microscopy) but present few new types of abnormal shapes (Calvo et al, 1995, 1997b).…”

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confidence: 96%

Age-related changes in the hamster epididymis

et al. 1999

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“…Generally speaking, spermatozoa grow to maturity, passing through the epididymis, i.e., development of motility, changes in acrosome, induction of chromatin condensation and migration of cytoplasmic droplets 33) . Testicular histopathological changes do not correlate with sperm tail abnormalities in bulls 33) , and most tail abnormalities are induced during epididymal transit of spermatozoa in the boar and hamster 35,36) . Finally, we need to address the relevance of the results in the present study to risk assessments of actual human exposure to OPs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Broken Sperm, Cytoplasmic Droplets and Reduced Sperm Motility Are Principal Markers of Decreased Sperm Quality Due to Organophosphorus Pesticides in Rats

Okamura

Kamijima

Ohtani

et al. 2009

Journal of Occupational Health

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Broken Sperm, Cytoplasmic Droplets and Reduced Sperm Motility Are Principal Markers of D e c r e a s e d S p e r m Q u a l i t y D u e t oOrganophosphorus Pesticides in Rats: Ai OKAMURA, e t a l . D e p a r t m e n t o f O c c u p a t i o n a l a n d Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine-Objectives: Recent reports have shown significant associations between organopshophorus pesticide (OP) exposure and decreased sperm motility in workers and laboratory animals. However, the notion that OPs possess spermatotoxicity has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of OP exposure on detailed sperm toxicity markers, i.e., motility, morphology and sperm adenine nucleotide contents, and the histopathology of the testis and epididymis. Methods: Ten-week-old Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10) and orally administered corn oil, dichlorvos (DDVP; 5, 10 mg/kg) or diazinon (DZN; 3 mg/kg) 6 days a week for 9 wk. Sperm motility and morphology markers were analyzed with a computerassisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Results: In a d d i t i o n t o a s i g n i f i c a n t d e c r e a s e i n acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and a significant increase in urinary OP metabolites, DDVP and DZN significantly reduced sperm motility, but they did not influence sperm adenine nucleotide contents. The OPs also significantly increased the percentage of broken sperm, and DDVP significantly increased the percentage of cytoplasmic droplets. Importantly, both OPs significantly increased cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear shrinkage in the epithelial cells of the ductus epididymis, whereas the testes did not show significant histopathological changes. Conclusions: The broken sperm and cytoplasmic droplets as well as r e d u c e d s p e r m m o t i l i t y w e r e t h e r e l e v a n t spermatotoxicity makers of DDVP and DZN. To our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that the above-mentioned OP-induced spermatotoxicity is related to histopathological impairment of the caput epididymis. (J Occup Health 2009; 51: 478-487)

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“…The risks inherent in tranquilization or anesthesia limit the frequency with which collections can be performed. However, occasional or sporadic semen collection does not yield information reflective of sperm production potential because sperm quality declines over time in the epididymis [Cuasnicu and Bedford, 1989;Calvo et al, 1997;Noirault and Brillard, 1999]. Therefore, a noninvasive method of semen collection must be employed to compile a meaningful series of ejaculates that will describe a male's reproductive capacity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifetime semen production in a cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

et al. 2001

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Lifetime semen production data provide valuable insight into a species' natural history and biology as well as information about the potential fertility of males at various life stages. An understanding of the ages of sexual maturity, peak sperm production, and gonadal senescence will contribute to the design of species management plans for captive, free-ranging, and reintroduced populations of exotic animals. To describe these life stages in the cheetah, semen was collected biweekly for 13 years from a solitary male beginning at 3 years of age. The 338 ejaculates were obtained noninvasively by artificial vagina. Ejaculate volume and sperm motility score, concentration, and normal morphology were recorded. A sperm quality index incorporating all five semen parameters was calculated to facilitate ejaculate comparisons. Polynomial regression analysis revealed a significant effect of age on volume, which increased throughout the animal's lifetime except for a reduction between ages 10 and 12. Concentration was also significantly affected by age and increased from the age of 3 to the age of 10, then decreased. The sperm quality index revealed a significant effect of age as it increased from age 3 to age 8, then declined as the male grew older. The cheetah did not reach peak semen production until age 8 and continued to produce good quality semen for several more years. These data were somewhat unexpected, given the average cheetah life expectancy of approximately 7 years.

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Classification and quantification of abnormal sperm along the epididymal tract. Comparison between adult and aged hamsters

Cited by 14 publications

References 20 publications

Age-related changes in the hamster epididymis

Age-related changes in the hamster epididymis

Broken Sperm, Cytoplasmic Droplets and Reduced Sperm Motility Are Principal Markers of Decreased Sperm Quality Due to Organophosphorus Pesticides in Rats

Lifetime semen production in a cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

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