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Biomedical subjects

D Da Rugna

Publications and source records attributed to D Da Rugna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Role of immunological factors in male infertility. Immunohistochemical and serological evidence.

Immunological deposits in the testis and circulating antibodies to spermatozoa are presented as a possible explanation for infertility in man. Testicular biopsy specimens from infertile patients (N = 52) as well as from fertile controls (N = 6) were analyzed immunohistochemically by using semithin sections. Immunoglobulin deposits were found in the testes of 21 patients. Antibody deposits were observed on the seminiferous tubule wall, on germ cells or in the interstitium. In two cases, the C3 complement component was detected on the tubular wall and in one case on atypical spermatogonia. Deposits of immunoglobulin class G were found most frequently, and were often attached to the seminiferous tubule wall. In addition, the occurrence of circulating antisperm antibodies in the sera of these patients was examined by a recently developed method, the immunobeads binding test. A significant number of patients with normal spermatogenesis had antibodies that exhibited a strong binding reaction to spermatozoa as observed by the immunobeads binding test. It is suggested that at least two different immunological mechanisms may be involved in pathological infertility: an immunoglobulin deposit, induced locally in the testis, in a manner specifically against the germ cells and the seminiferous tubular basement membrane, or in a manner nonspecifically against seminiferous tubular wall, and asystemically induced immunoglobulin production which is directed against spermatozoal antigens.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1986

The value of testicular biopsy in patients with varicocele.

With the use of semi-thin sections of 88 testicular biopsies from 44 patients, we were able to separate a relatively uniform group of patients with idiopathic left varicocele and infertility into 4 groups with different pathophysiological conditions. Group 1 patients had atrophy of the Leydig cells, decreased Leydig cell ratio, low plasma testosterone, and normal luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in sperm count. Group 2 patients had undergone attempted repair of Leydig cells, and had a normal Leydig cell ratio, and normal testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone plasma values. Group 3 patients demonstrated hyperplasia and an increased Leydig cell ratio, high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone values, and relatively high testosterone values. Group 4 patients had an increased Leydig cell ratio but severe atrophy of the Leydig cells and tubuli, indicating burned out testes with high luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone but low testosterone levels. A successful operation failed to increase the sperm count in the latter groups. The technique used should allow better patient selection for medical treatment, as well as lead to a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of infertility in varicocele patients. Therefore, the histological technique has an important role in the evaluation of patients suffering from infertility in general.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Blot-immunobinding test for the detection of anti-sperm antibodies.

A blot-immunobinding test was used to detect anti-sperm antibodies in human sera and to identify the corresponding auto- or iso-antigens on human sperm. A high proportion of sera at a 1:100 dilution from fertile persons, as well as infertile patients, contains antibodies reactive with sperm. This phenomenon might be physiological. At 1:2,000 dilution, a higher binding capacity was detected in the sera from infertile groups, but a few fertile persons were also positive. Antibodies to a single antigenic determinant with Mr of approximately 14,000 were found in a significantly higher proportion among males with unexplained infertility.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

[Problems in sterility diagnosis].

In 250 cases of sterility (no conception) or infertility (termination of pregnancy before viability) in which a pregnancy could be achieved, the pathological findings and the different treatments have first been analyzed. Subsequently the causes of impaired fertility were discussed. The difficulties to investigate distinct reproductive functions and to recognize definite causes of barrenness by correct interpretation of data are pointed out. On the basis of a critical evaluation of our findings the most frequent factor responsible for the initial sterility or infertility may have been disturbed ovarian function, followed by seminal disorders and abnormal conditions concerning tubes and peritoneum. It seems noteworthy that only 1/3 of our cases revealed a more or less clear cause and in almost 1/4 of the cases later becoming pregnant the cause of impaired fertility remained undetectable.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Effectiveness of a lactobacillus vaccine on trichomonas infections in women. Preliminary results].

This is the report on a multi-centre study of the treatment of 444 women with trichomoniasis vaginalis using Solcotrichovac, a vaccine containing at least 7 x 10(9) inactivated microorganisms of various strains of lactobacillus acidophilus in each 0.5 ml dose. One year after the first vaccination 427 of the patients (96.2%) were followed up, and 92.5% of them were found to be cured of clinical symptoms; the remaining 7.5% must be considered as not cured, as either the slide or the culture was positive. We are convinced by these results that vaccination with Solcotrichovac represents an enhancement of therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of trichomoniasis vaginalis.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Value of the meiosis test in male infertility].

The histological evaluation of testicular biopsy in the investigation of infertility was supplemented by cytogenetic analysis of spermatogenesis in 72 patients from 1976--1978. The results show meiosis analysis to be a practical aid in the assessment of male infertility. It enables the point of interruption in the meiotic process to be accurately identified. A review of relative populations of meiotic and of interphase nuclei (the meiotic index) permits evaluation of a quantitative disturbance of spermatogenesis, a finding that is of particular value when establishing a patient's prognosis. Moreover, meiotic analysis makes it possible to recognize cytogenetic anomalies which could be responsible for the infertility state and which were chiefly seen in patients whose so-called primary infertility was hitherto classified as being of unknown origin. In two patients we thus identified a small additional chromosome in a fraction of the germinal cells, and also an abnormal pairing of all chromosomes, or the sex chromosomes alone, during the first meiotic division.

Biopsy↗