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Biomedical subjects

E Vicari

Publications and source records attributed to E Vicari.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Abnormal production of oxygen free radicals by low leukocytospermia in purified fractions of semen from infertile patients].

Seminal leucocytes (WBC) play an important role, whereas this is still unknown. Quantitative normal threshold-value for leucocytospermia (Ls) (WBC < or = 1 million/ml) seems not to be a safety predictive marker of male accessory gland infection (MAGI) and/or MAGI-related adverse effects on semen quality and/or fertility because several drawbacks: a) inadequate staining techniques are responsible of an underestimated WBC concentration in spermatic fractions (100%) obtained from high-density Percoli gradient (Pc 100%); b) Ls could be correlated far better to the clinical findings and/or outcomes if some biochemical data on L metabolism are also studied (Radical Oxygen Species-ROS-generation, phagocytosis, leucotoxins). In order to point out importance about an joint morphological/biochemical analysis about Ls, we recruited 76 selected infertile (from 2-7 yrs) patients (aged 32-45 yrs) who, in their 50% Percoli fractions, had previously produced WBC-ROS > 95th percentile values registered from our control group (n = 28, fertile men). In all infertile population we have analysed through Pc100 fraction either the percentage of WBC-negative patient's specimens (group A) and within WBC-positive ones if a significant difference was present in the maximal WBC-ROS production among different subgroups at WBC concentrations (group B:0.01-0.09, group C:1-10, group D: > 10 x 10(4) WBC/10(7) spermatozoa).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and on vasopressin, prolactin and growth hormone release in humans.

Cholecystokinin (CCK), a gastrointestinal (GI) hormone, is also present in structures of the central nervous system such as cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, olfactory tubercle and in regions involved in the regulation of the pituitary function. Although a number of studies have evaluated the effects of CCK on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and on arginine vasopressin (AVP), prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) plasma levels in the laboratory animal, its role in humans has not been explored. Hence, we examined the effects of the exogenous administration of this GI hormone on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, AVP, PRL and GH plasma levels in humans. To accomplish this, graded doses (0, 50, 140 and 420 ng/kg) of sulfated CCK octapeptide (CCK-8), the full biologically active peptide, were infused intravenously to healthy men in 30 min. Blood samples were collected 30 min and immediately before the infusion was started (baseline) and 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min thereafter. CRH, ACTH, and AVP were extracted from plasma proteins using cartridges of SepPak C18. These hormones and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay whereas PRL and GH were measured by immunoradiometric assay. CCK-8 increased plasma ACTH and cortisol levels only at the dose of 420 ng/kg, whereas it had no detectable effect on plasma CRH levels. It increased also plasma AVP levels at the doses of 140 and 420 ng/kg. However, this effect reached the statistical significance only at the highest dose tested. CCK-8 stimulated PRL and GH release in a dose-dependent fashion. The lowest stimulatory dose was 140 ng/kg for both hormones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Therapy with human chorionic gonadotrophin alone induces spermatogenesis in men with isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism--long-term follow-up.

The effects of long-term (14-120 months) hCG-treatment of 17 male patients affected by isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (IHH) on testicular volume, plasma testosterone levels, and sperm concentration were assessed. Mean testicular volume increased from 3.8 +/- 0.2 (Mean +/- SEM) ml to a maximal of 14.9 +/- 1.1 ml after 22.2 +/- 2.3 months of hCG treatment. Maximal testicular volume correlated positively with the volume recorded before the patients had undergone any previous treatment. Testicular growth was also analysed by sorting the patients into two sub-groups according to whether their initial testicular volume was less than 4 ml (small testis subset, STS) or greater than or equal to 4 ml (large testis subset, LTS), supposedly indicating complete or partial gonadotrophin deficiency, respectively. Testicular volumes in the LTS group were always greater than those of the STS. Plasma testosterone levels reached adulthood values during hCG treatment and no statistically significant difference was detected between LTS and STS patients with IHH. Thirteen patients (70%) became sperm-positive during treatment with hCG alone; five out of eight (60%) were STS patients and eight out of nine (90%) were LTS. In addition, LTS patients always had a greater sperm output than did STS patients. Sperm concentration correlated positively with maximal testicular volume, but not with patient age, length of treatment, or initial testicular volume. The administration of hMG to eight of these patients caused an increase in testicular volume in two patients but the mean volume was not statistically different from that recorded at the end of treatment with hCG alone. Similarly, sperm concentration improved in three patients but again it did not differ significantly from that achieved in the course of hCG treatment. It is noteworthy that one patient became sperm-positive after the addition of hMG to his therapeutic regimen. Among sperm-positive patients attempting conception, seven out of 10 succeeded, two of whom were from the STS group. In summary, this study indicates that hCG alone is an effective treatment to induce complete spermiogenesis in IHH patients regardless of their initial testicular volume. However, a number of IHH patients may benefit from the addition of hMG in terms of testicular volume, sperm output, and pregnancy outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Role of peripherally infused angiotensin II on the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Although angiotensin II (AII), a potent vasoconstrictor agent, has been reported to stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of laboratory animals, its role in the regulation of this axis in humans appears to be controversial. To examine this question, AII (Val5-AII amide) was infused intravenously into 19 male normal volunteers at the doses of 0, 1, 3.3 and 10 ng/kg/min for 30 min. AII had no effect on plasma ACTH, cortisol, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin, and atrial natriuretic factor concentrations, nor did it increase systolic or diastolic arterial blood pressure. On the other hand, AII caused a dose-dependent increase of plasma aldosterone concentrations, suggesting that the doses and the mode of AII infusion were effective. Thus, our data show that peripherally infused AII has no detectable effect on the HPA axis function in humans, at doses capable of stimulating plasma aldosterone secretion, its specific target hormone.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1991

[Antibiotic therapy in infertile subjects with chronic gonococcal infections: measurement of sperm output].

Several antibiotics of choice for the treatment of Gonorrhoea have proved to be effective in the acute forms of this disease. Men infected with gonococci may not develop or may not notice any symptoms at all: thus, complications of gonococcal infection can cause semen inadequacy and infertility. We are not aware of any previous paper on the treatment of chronic asymptomatic gonorrhoea (IUGC) and the cytotoxic effects in sperm maturation (so called "stress pattern tubular syndrome") and/or motility possibly mediated by some antigonococcal agents after prolonged period of administration. In IUGC the aims of therapy should be both the bactericidal activity and the improvement in the seminal quality. One-hundred eleven out of 785 male partners of infertile marriages were studied. They had negative post coital test and culture positive for N. Gonorrhoea in their semen. They were subdivided in six random groups and were treated with Ceftazidime (CFZ = 20 cases), Cefonicid (CFN = 20 cases) Spectinomycin (SPM = 15 cases), Aztreonam (AZT = 20 cases), Piperacillin (PP = 18 cases) and Doxycycline (DXC = 18 cases) respectively. After 7 days of treatment (C1) seminal cultures became negative in 25 cases (22.5%) and no seminal parameter showed significant variation among groups. When the treatment was repeated other twice (C3. = 1 week every month for 3 months) the antigonococcal efficacy was complete (100%), but various effects on seminal quality (Density, D; Motility, M, Oval forms, O; Sperm precursors, Sp; nemaspermic penetration depth in bovine cervical mucus PN; rate of pregnancies) were observed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

Generation of reactive oxygen species in subgroups of infertile men.

The capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), both basally and after stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187, was examined in the motile fraction of sperm isolated after swim-up from the semen of 10 naturally fertile men and three groups of infertile patients. The latter included: (1) men with a non-bacterial inflammation of the genital tract (n = 10); (2) men unable to impregnate their partners during an intra-uterine insemination programme (IUI) (n = 8) and their matched controls (n = 6); and (3) men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) who remained infertile after induction of spermatogenesis with gonadotrophin or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone therapy (n = 3) and their matched controls (n = 3). The levels of ROS production were elevated in the sperm of some infertile men with inflammation of the genital tract compared to those found in 10 naturally fertile men. In addition, sperm from those patients who remained infertile after an IUI programme produced higher amounts of ROS compared to their control group who became fertile. Similarly, the production of ROS by sperm from three patients with HH who remained infertile was significantly higher than those of the three men who became fertile. These data suggest that an excessive production of ROS by sperm may explain some cases of idiopathic male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pituitary and adrenal response to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

It has been hypothesized that there is an adrenal abnormality in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). This study was undertaken to examine this hypothesis in a more physiological way, by enhancing the ACTH secretion in response to ovine corticotropin releasing hormone (oCRH) injection so that adrenal androgen and glucocorticoid responsiveness to endogenous stimulation could be examined. Plasma ACTH and the ACTH and cortisol (F) response to oCRH were normal. The plasma T and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) responses were also normal. The androstenedione (A) response, however, was exaggerated. This study supports the hypothesis that the adrenal gland in patients with PCO produces increased amounts of androstenedione in response to ACTH stimulation.

Adolescent↗