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F B Kuzan

Publications and source records attributed to F B Kuzan.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Human spermatozoa produce C16-platelet-activating factor.

Recent data indicate that human spermatozoa produce platelet-activating factor as determined by the rabbit platelet [3H]serotonin release bioassay. In this report, we examined by fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry the molecular species of platelet-activating factor generated by these germ cells. Extracted spermatozoal samples that contained platelet-activating factor bioactivity underwent straight-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and fractions which coeluted with authentic C16- and C18-platelet-activating factor standards were subjected to fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry. Our mass spectral data indicate that human spermatozoa synthesize C16-platelet-activating factor but not C18-platelet-activating factor.

Fatty Acids↗
PubMed1990

Role of spermatozoal platelet-activating factor in fertilization.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent lipid mediator of inflammation, has been shown to play a role in both the implantation and viability of mammalian embryos. We examined whether human and mouse spermatozoa release PAF during in vitro incubation and assessed the effect of exogenous PAF and the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086, a thieno-triazolodiazepine, on mouse in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate. PAF biological activity was detected in 11 samples of leukocyte-free, purified human spermatozoa (28 pg PAF/10(6) cells/24 hr) and 5 samples of epididymal mouse spermatozoa (7.8 pg PAF/10(6) cells/3 hr). Exogenous PAF (10(-8) and 10(-6) M) increased (p less than 0.01) the fertilization rate 2- and 3-fold, respectively of mouse oocytes by mouse epididymal spermatozoa. 10(-4) M PAF, however, reduced sperm motility and decreased (p less than 0.05) the fertilization rate. 10(-6) M WEB 2086, decreased IVF to approximately 50% of the control fertilization rate (42% vs. 89%). WEB 2086 treatment also promoted the attachment of supernumerary spermatozoa to both fertilized and unfertilized oocytes. The fertilization rate in the presence of WEB 2086 returned to control levels when zona-pellucida-free oocytes were employed, indicating that WEB 2086 did not interfere with the spermatozoal acrosome reaction. These data suggest that PAF, of spermatozoal origin, may be important in mammalian fertilization.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Relationship of bacteriologic characteristics to semen indices in men attending an infertility clinic.

Bacteria can be isolated from most seminal fluid samples, but the significance of these microorganisms is uncertain because most men lack symptoms associated with bacterial infection of the reproductive tract. We obtained semen samples from 37 men attending a Special Infertility Clinic and assessed the relationship between seminal fluid microorganisms and seminal fluid analysis including sperm motility, morphology, and concentration; the numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and other white blood cells; and the hamster zona-free oocyte sperm penetration assay. Aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 36 of the 37 samples. One hundred eighty-eight isolates (113 aerobes, 74 anaerobes, and one yeast) were recovered, with a mean of 5.2 isolates per semen specimen. The microorganisms recovered from the samples included: coagulase-negative staphylococci (89%), viridans streptococci (65%), diphtheroids (86%), Peptostreptococcus sp (62%), Bacteroides sp (27%), Gardnerella vaginalis (19%), Lactobacillus sp (16%), Actinomyces sp (16%), Enterococcus (11%), and Veillonella (11%). Other microorganisms including group B streptococcus, Hemophilus, Escherichia coli, Mobiluncus, and Clostridium were each recovered from fewer than 10% of the specimens. When the microbiology of seminal fluid specimens with or without polymorphonuclear leukocytes was compared, the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the semen was not associated with the isolation of staphylococci (33 versus 25%), viridans streptococci (33 versus 28%), Bacteroides sp (17 versus 37%), or Peptostreptococcus (31 versus 33%) (P greater than .05 for each comparison). The proportion of semen samples yielding bacterial isolates was similar after categorization by normal motility (more than 60%), pyospermia (six or more leukocytes per 100 sperm), sperm concentration, morphology, and a normal sperm penetration assay (11% or more).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lipid mediator production by post-implantation rat embryos in vitro.

The production of inflammatory lipid mediators by post-implantation rodent embryos was examined in this study. Explanted day 10 rat embryos, either intact or after homogenization, were cultured for 3 hr in vitro and the resulting culture medium and embryonic tissue were assessed for eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF). The rank order of cyclooxygenase arachidonate products produced by intact embryos was as follows: 6-keto-PGF1 alpha much greater than congruent to PGF2 alpha congruent to TXB2. No lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism were detected by either high performance liquid chromatography or radioimmunoassay. PAF production was detectable in embryonic cultures. Homogenization of rat embryos prior to in vitro culture enhanced eicosanoid and PAF production from 2.1-6.9 fold over intact embryos. These findings demonstrate the extent of lipid metabolism by early post-implantation rat embryos and support the concept that potent lipid mediators of inflammation generated by the conceptus may play a role in both the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1989

A proposed mouse model for acute epididymitis provoked by genital serovar E, Chlamydia trachomatis.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the male mouse as a model for epididymitis caused by human genital serovar E, Chlamydia trachomatis. C. trachomatis was reisolated from all tissues removed on Days 3, 5, and 7 post inoculation (pi). Although some infected epididymides removed on Days 10, 14, and 21 pi were positive, control tissues remained negative. Histopathology of tissues showed a heavy, mixed inflammatory infiltrate consisting of polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes. Serum antibody to C. trachomatis was detected in the infected mice only (titer greater than or equal to 1:32). Chlamydial inclusions and individual elementary bodies were confirmed by immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining up to Day 7 pi. These data show that the male mouse is susceptible to C. trachomatis infection and is appropriate for studies dealing with the effect of C. trachomatis on male fertility.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

An in vitro fertilization program using satellite physicians.

In order to provide an in vitro fertilization (IVF) service for a large geographic region, we developed the concept of Satellite IVF Centers. The goals of this program were as follows: 1) to facilitate patient participation by decreasing travel expenditures, time for screening appointments, and IVF cycle cancellations, and 2) to involve community physicians in a regionalized program. We established centers in nine cities within the Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho region serviced by the University of Washington, and in Alberta, Canada. A 2-day training session was held to provide participating physicians with a basic knowledge of IVF. We considered the roles of the satellite IVF physician to include identification of couples for IVF, initiation of ovulation induction cycles, and determination of appropriate induction cycles for oocyte recovery. The staff of the University Department of Laboratory Medicine standardized the methodologies for estradiol measurements and maintained a quality control analysis for all participating community laboratories. Satellite activity was coordinated through the IVF office at the University, which monitored physicians' decisions based on hormone and ultrasound data from days 7 and 8 of the stimulation cycle. Patients meeting specific ovarian response criteria arrived at the University on day 9 of the stimulation cycle and completed IVF. During 18 months, 72 patients were screened and initiated cycles at the nine participating centers. Forty-four of these patients were sent to the University for oocyte recovery, which resulted in 39 embryo transfers and eight pregnancies. This service has reached a large geographic community, dramatically reduced the cost of IVF for this community, and met with both patient and physician acceptance.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1987

Endocrine changes in the late-follicular and postovulatory intervals as determinants of the in vitro fertilization pregnancy rate.

This investigation examines the hormone pattern in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles from the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration through embryo transfer to ascertain whether the absolute levels or secretory patterns of the major reproductive hormones affect the IVF pregnancy rate. Thirty-one women who underwent IVF treatment were enrolled in the study. All patients received clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotropin for ovulation induction. Significant elevations in serum estradiol (E2) levels in the pregnant group were found throughout the cycle interval studied. After hCG administration the serum hCG levels were not different between the groups. Significant elevations in serum progesterone (P) concentrations were found in the pregnant group from the day after laparoscopy through embryo transfer. Embryos obtained from the pregnant group appeared to be different in that the mean number of blastomeres per embryo transferred was significantly greater. Therefore for achievement of an IVF pregnancy the optimal hormone pattern employing combination ovulation induction in the ovulation to transfer interval is a relatively high E2 level in ovulation followed by a high P level at transfer and into the luteal phase. These elevated hormone levels do not depend on the response to exogenous hCG.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Human sperm penetration assay as an indicator of sperm function in human in vitro fertilization.

Performance of spermatozoa in a hamster oocyte/human sperm penetration assay (SPA) was correlated with the results of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Forty-two patients underwent 50 IVF cycles. SPA scores were obtained before IVF cycles (screening SPA, n = 30) and, where practical, on the semen sample used for IVF (IVF SPA, n = 26). Screening SPA score did not correlate to IVF result, fertilization and cleavage rates were similar between normal (n = 17) and low (n = 13) SPA groups, pregnancy rates were 35 and 46%, respectively. In addition, SPA score at the time of IVF did not correlate with IVF result. Pregnancy rates were 33% for the normal group (n = 16) and 30% for the low SPA group (n = 10). Overall, the low SPA group (n = 16) exhibited a 78% fertilization rate and a 38% pregnancy rate, which was not different from the normal SPA group: 76 and 29%, respectively. The results of this study indicate that SPA score is a poor indicator of sperm function in IVF.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of three wash techniques for the removal of microorganisms from semen.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three sperm separation techniques for producing samples free of seminal fluid microbes. Each of 11 semen samples were separated by the following techniques: wash, with centrifugation only; swim-up, with undiluted semen layered beneath medium; and wash and swim-up, with centrifuged sperm cells overlain with medium. Microbiology for both aerobic and anaerobic organisms of semen and washes was determined by standard methods. The microbes isolated from semen were similar to those found in previous reports. However, the swim-up technique proved more successful than either the wash or the wash and swim-up methods for the recovery of sterile spermatozoa (ten of 11 versus four of 11, P less than .05). It is recommended that the swim-up technique, with medium supplemented with penicillin and streptomycin, be used when preparing sperm samples for placement into the female reproductive tract.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1975

The effects of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10-hexachloro-1, 4, 4a, 5, 8, 8a-hexahydroxy endo, exo-5, 8-dimethionaphthalene (aldrin) and sodium ethylenebisdithiocarbomate (nabam) on the chick.

Fertile White Leghorn chicken eggs were injected on the tenth day of incubation with either 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 p.p.m. Aldrin or 0, 5, 10 or 15 p.p.m. Nabam and allowed to hatch. Aldrin neither did induce any deformities nor had any effect on hatchability, thyroid weight and histology. However, within three days after hatching, there was greater mortality in chicks treated with higher concentrations of the pesticide. Aldrin at higher concentrations significantly reduced 125I uptake by the thyroids. This was evident in the iodine fractions after chromatographic separation of the thyroid extracts. Nabam not only reduced hatchability but also induced deformities in the higher concentration groups. The thyroids showed an increase of resorption vacuoles in the colloid. Even though the thyroid weights increased in all experimental groups, a significant increase in 125I uptake was seen only in the 15 p.p.m. injected animals. This group also showed a reduction in radioactivity of thyroxine fraction but an increase of 125I in tyrosines. The significance of these results are discussed.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗