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Biomedical subjects

C L Barratt

Publications and source records attributed to C L Barratt.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The interaction of parameters of male and female fertility in couples with previously unexplained infertility.

A prospective study was undertaken of the relationship between semen variables, serial endocrine and follicular ultrasound measurements in one complete menstrual cycle, and the treatment-independent chance of conception for couples who were referred with unexplained infertility. For the 91 couples studied, the mean length of infertility was 70 months. A 100% follow-up rate was achieved. When a stepwise analysis was performed examining semen variables and ultrasonographic and endocrine variables, the mean ratio of salivary progesterone/plasma estradiol between days +1 and +3, with respect to the luteinizing hormone surge and the Grade 2 motile sperm density, were the only variables that achieved the 5% level of significance. There was a highly significant relationship between the product of these two variables and the chance of conception. This study clearly demonstrates an interaction between parameters of male and female fertility.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1989

Differences in the fertility of donor insemination recipients--a study to provide prognostic guidelines as to its success and outcome.

Data on 207 couples attending for donor insemination (DI) were analyzed to determine the differences in fertility of insemination recipients and to provide prognostic guidelines as to its success. This study has shown that DI recipients with no infertility factors whose partners were azoospermic had the highest fecundability (0.178), whereas those with no infertility factors whose partners were subfertile had the lowest fecundability (0.036). Donor insemination recipients with treated endometriosis and ovulatory dysfunction have significantly higher fecundability (0.093 and 0.091, respectively) than those with other infertility factors (0.021) such as fibroids, tubal disease, or a combination of infertility factors. This study provides prognostic guidelines for DI recipients as to its success.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Screening for cytomegalovirus antibody in a donor insemination program: difficulties in implementing The American Fertility Society guidelines.

With the recommendations of The American Fertility Society that all donors and recipients in a donor insemination programme should be screened for CMV antibody, we have documented the prevalence of CMV antibody in donors, recipients, and their partners in our clinic. Forty percent of our donors were CMV-positive, and in only 35% of the couples were both partners negative. The implications of using exclusively CMV-negative donors are examined. The necessity for further research on the detection and the transmission of various strains of CMV and the effects of cryopreservation on them is emphasized.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1989

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing urinary luteinizing hormone dipsticks and basal body temperature charts with time donor insemination.

Especially now with the almost exclusive use of frozen semen, accurate timing of donor inseminations is an important point to address if a successful donor insemination program is to be established. To examine whether the timing of donor inseminations using urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) dipsticks (group 2) was significantly better than using basal body temperature (BBT) charts (group 1) we performed a prospective randomized controlled trial. There was no significant difference between the cumulative pregnancy rates at 6 months (0.23 versus 0.31 for groups 1 and 2, respectively) or the monthly fecundability (0.04 versus 0.07 for groups 1 and 2, respectively). Using these monthly fecundabilities we have calculated that approximately 378 patients in each arm of the trial would be needed to demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups. We therefore conclude that timing donor inseminations using urinary LH dipsticks does not significantly improve the conception rates.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed1989

Is routine examination of the male partner of any prognostic value in the routine assessment of couples who complain of involuntary infertility?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether routine examination of the male partner is of value in assessing couples complaining of involuntary infertility. The relationship between male age, a previous paternity, male physical characteristics, and fertility outcome was examined. Life table analysis was performed after accounting for known female factors. Five hundred forty-four couples were recruited to the study. All conceptions were independent of treatment to either partner in which the female partner was found to be "normal" on investigation. Although male age and several physical characteristics were related to fertility outcome when all couples were examined, this was, by virtue of these variables, being related to female age and the length of involuntary infertility before investigation. When only those couples were examined in which the female partner was normal on investigation (n = 250), past paternity (x1(2) = 4.21, P = 0.040, RR = 1.81) was the only variable that retained a significant relationship to fertility outcome. It was concluded that routine examination of the male partner is of no prognostic value for couples complaining of involuntary infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The hypo-osmotic swelling test and the sperm mucus penetration test in determining fertilization of the human oocyte.

The usefulness of the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and the sperm mucus penetration (SMP) test as sperm function tests for in-vitro fertilization was analysed in 56 couples. Using logistic regression analysis only the SMP test was independently related to fertilization (P = 0.004), no false negative results were obtained, i.e. no fertilization if sperm from the ejaculate failed to penetrate mucus. The HOS test was of no predictive value. The results justify a further examination of the SMP test in other IVF centres.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1989

Female age, the length of involuntary infertility prior to investigation and fertility outcome.

The objectives of this study were two-fold: firstly to determine whether female age exerts an influence on the fertility outcome of couples attending an infertility clinic, independent of demographic and clinical details; and secondly to examine the relationship between the length of involuntary infertility prior to investigation and the subsequent chance of conception. Seven-hundred-and-thirty-one subjects whose partner did not have azoospermia were recruited to the study. Female age ranged from 20 to 46 (mean = 31.1). The range of involuntary infertility prior to investigation was 12-216 (mean = 62) months. One-hundred-and-twenty-four women conceived. The following variables achieved the 5% level of significance when a stepwise analysis was performed on all cases; the concentration of spermatozoa exhibiting slow or sluggish linear or non-linear motility (chi 2(1) = 17.57, P less than 0.0001, RR = 1.67 per 50 x 10(6)), female age (chi 2(1) = 12.44, P = 0.0004, RR = 0.92 per annum), tubal status (chi 2(1) = 12.22, P = 0.0005, RR = 2.15), length of infertility before investigation (chi 2(1) = 11.22, P = 0.0008, RR = 0.87 per annum) and past paternity (chi 2(1) = 8.43, P = 0.0037, RR = 1.81). Female age was found to be positively correlated with the incidence and severity of ovulatory dysfunction, tubal occlusive disease, pelvic adhesions and endometriosis. Where the female partner was 'normal' on investigation, all conceptions were independent of treatment to either partner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1989

Antisperm antibodies are more prevalent in men with low sperm motility.

Fifty-six men with low sperm motility (less than or equal to 40% of sperm with forward progression) who attended our infertility clinic were tested for antisperm antibodies (IgG and IgA) using the indirect immunobead test. Nineteen (34%) of these men were found to be positive (greater than 10% binding). This was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than the incidence (5%) of antibodies in men who attended our infertility clinic with high sperm motility (greater than 40% of sperm with forward progression). It is concluded that significantly more men with low sperm motility have antisperm antibodies. The functional significance of these antibodies warrants further investigation.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1989

Placental protein 14 (PP14) content and immunosuppressive activity of human cervical mucus.

Extracts of cervical mucus contain measurable levels of placental protein 14 (PP14), a protein known to suppress proliferative responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Such extracts have been shown to exert suppressive activities on allogeneically stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. However, there was no correlation between the PP14 content of cervical mucus samples and their suppressive activities. Such activity could not be removed from the extracts by dialysis, suggesting high molecular weight mediators. These results indicate that there may be an immunosuppressive factor in human cervical mucus which functions to protect inseminated sperm in a potentially immunologically hostile environment in the female reproductive tract.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1988

Quantitative effects of short- and long-term vasectomy on mouse spermatogenesis and sperm transport.

To date, there are no comprehensive quantitative studies detailing the effect of vasectomy on the mouse testes. We examined the effects of vasectomy on testicular germ cell numbers using detailed light microscopy, and the effect of long-term vasectomy on sperm transport to the caput epididymis using radiolabelled germ cells. Short-term vasectomy has no significant effects on the number of germ cells within the testes; however, after long-term vasectomy, spermiogenesis was affected. Surprisingly, even after long-term vasectomy, the rate of spermatogenesis and sperm transport to the epididymis was unaffected.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A protocol for the recruitment and screening of semen donors for an artificial insemination by donor programme.

This study outlines a structured protocol for the recruitment and screening of semen donors for an artificial insemination by donor programme. One-hundred-and-ninety-one potential semen donors were assessed. A step-wise analysis of these potential semen donors is presented, reasons for and rates of rejection at each stage are documented and explained. The majority of the potential donors were rejected on the basis of unacceptable semen analysis. A simple, structured approach to the assessment of potential semen donors is proposed.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Sperm loss in the urine of sexually rested men.

In the majority of species, the number of spermatozoa ejaculated is considerably less than the number of sperm produced. Two possible explanations for this discrepancy are the resorption of sperm in the reproductive tract and/or the passage of sperm to the urine. We have examined 24-h urine samples from fertile men who abstained from sexual activity for up to 13 days. Very few sperm were found in the 24-h urine samples. We conclude that sperm loss in the urine is not a significant pathway of sperm disposal in the sexually rested male.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Quantitation of sperm disposal and phagocytic cells in the tract of short- and long-term vasectomized mice.

By calculating the number of spermatozoa produced by the mouse testis after vasectomy, and actually counting the number of spermatozoa present in the epididymides and vasa deferentia, the number of spermatozoa resorbed at different times was quantified. The contributions of sperm phagocytosis and intraluminal dissolution of spermatozoa (separate sperm heads and tails) in sperm disposal were examined. Sperm resorption was clearly demonstrated, with about 100 X 10(6) spermatozoa and 426 X 10(6) spermatozoa having been resorbed by 6 weeks and 6 months after vasectomy, respectively. A characteristic of the vasectomized tract was the high proportion of degenerating spermatozoa, and small lymphocytes, but very few intraluminal phagocytes were observed. The results suggest that spermatozoa are resorbed after vasectomy and that intraluminal sperm dissolution, rather than phagocytosis, is a prominent mechanism of sperm disposal in the tract of the vasectomized mouse.

Animals↗