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Biomedical subjects

F Lombardo

Publications and source records attributed to F Lombardo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Diagnostic value of growth hormone-releasing hormone test in children and adolescents with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

Average growth hormone (GH) peaks following an i.v. growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-29 stimulation test were significantly lower in 48 children and adolescents with GH deficiency (GHD) than in 20 age-matched controls (15.2 + 12.7 vs 37.5 + 28.1 ng/ml, 2 P less than 0.001). Twelve patients exhibited a low GH peak (less than 5 ng/ml), 27 demonstrated a normal response (greater than 10 ng/ml) and 9 showed an intermediate rise in plasma GH (5-10 ng/ml). Six of the 12 patients with low GH response to the first GHRH stimulation failed to respond to two other tests immediately before and after a 1 week priming with s.c. GHRH. These subjects with subnormal GH increase at repeat testing had total GHD (TGHD) and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) and had suffered from perinatal distress. On the contrary, 26 of 27 patients with normal GH response to the first test had isolated GHD and only a minority (8/27) had signs of perinatal distress. It is concluded that perinatal injuries primarily damage pituitary structures and that a pituitary defect more probably underlies more severe forms (TGHD and MPHD) of GHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Fertility and semen quality of workers exposed to high temperatures in the ceramics industry.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic occupational exposure to high temperatures may be detrimental to male reproduction. The study was based on 92 healthy ceramics oven operators with a long exposure to high temperatures, and 87 controls, recruited from the shipment department of the same industry. Interviews with all subjects provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and fertility problems. Semen analysis was carried out on 46 of the workers exposed to high temperatures, and 14 of the controls, and included evaluation of the sperm concentration, morphology, and motility, including computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (velocity, linearity, ALH, BCF). The results of the questionnaire showed that exposed individuals had a higher incidence of childlessness and of self-reported difficulty in conceiving than controls. The semen analysis showed no significant differences except in sperm velocity. Although differences in semen parameters, taken singly, were not statistically significant, the overall evaluation of the sperm parameters indicated a higher prevalence of pathologic sperm profiles among the exposed compared to the controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vitro sperm capacitation to treat antisperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface.

Our objective was to study antisperm antibody bound to the acrosome region during in vitro capacitation and to determine whether acrosome-antibody free sperm can be obtained from previously acrosome-antibody-coated sperm. The spermatozoa from a selected series of 14 patients were tested for sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface using d-IBT and focusing on the acrosome positivity. The tests were carried out before the incubation and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of incubation in Tyrode's solution with 0.5% human serum albumin as the capacitation medium. Tests to evaluate acrosome region, sperm motion parameters, and zonae binding ability were carried out. In this way we were able to evaluate sperm function during capacitation protocol. The patients were 14 subjects selected according to good seminal characteristics, good post-rise sperm parameters, and high percentage of ASA bound to the sperm surface. In all cases the results showed that antisperm antibodies bound to the acrosome region were shed prior to the acrosome reaction. During sperm capacitation in human a modification, migration, or shedding of plasma membrane molecules takes place. The presence of antibodies in such an important area of the sperm head could certainly interfere in the fertilization process. Our data indicate that in vitro capacitation could provide an in vitro therapy capable of eluting antibodies from the acrosome region.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1992

Amplification of GC-rich DNAs in neuronal nuclei of Planorbarius corneus (L.) (Mollusca, pulmonata).

Quantitative microfluorometric evaluation of DNA content in nerve cells of the Pulmonate Gastropod Planorbarius corneus has indicated that the increase in nuclear volume is due to DNA amplification. Indeed, it has been observed that the DNA contents are scattered at random between 2C and 1,000C values. This is not in agreement with the occurrence of repeated duplications of the whole genome. Furthermore, chromatin photo-oxidation, a technique useful in discriminating GC-rich from AT-rich DNAs, suggests that DNA amplification involves GC-rich sequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Metabolism and action of L-carnitine: its possible role in sperm tail function].

The authors report a review on the L-carnitine effects on the male genital tract. L-carnitine represents a cofactor in the transport of long chain fatty acids inside mitochondria and their subsequent oxidation. Therefore, its main role is that of intramitochondrial vehicle of acyl groups. In particular, the effects of L-carnitine on the male genital function seem connected mainly with the high concentration of L-carnitine in the epididymis; the uptake of the L-carnitine from the blood is an active, in part androgen-dependent, mechanism. Moreover, epididymal spermatozoa are able to concentrate L-carnitine (while they become progressively more impermeable to such a substance) during their passage from the caput to the cauda epididymis. The main function of the L-carnitine in the epididymis is to give to the spermatozoa an energetic substrate. In fact, this function should be of great importance since the epididymal spermatozoa employ fatty acid oxidation for their energy metabolism; on the contrary, the ejaculated sperm employ glycolytic process. As a consequence of the above-mentioned effects of L-carnitine the dosage of this substance in the evaluation of the integrity of the processes of maturation of the spermatozoa was proposed. Finally, there is growing interest in the use of L-carnitine as a therapeutic tool in some forms of male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of the direct immunobead test and other tests for sperm antibodies detection.

The authors report the results of a correlation study between the direct Immunobead Test (d-IBT) and other techniques for antisperm antibodies detection. The Gelatin Agglutination Test (GAT) and Tray Agglutination Test (TAT) were used to detect antibodies in blood serum and seminal plasma ("indirect methods"). The Direct IgG Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction Test (d-MAR test) was used to detect sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface ("direct method"). A good concordance between the methods, measured by phi and K tests, was found and satisfactory mathematical models were established by regression analyses.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

Long-lasting catch-up growth under bio-methionyl growth hormone treatment in an infant with isolated growth hormone deficiency type 1A.

This case report concerns a 7-month-old infant with severe height retardation (-5.0 SD), typical growth hormone (GH)-deficient phenotype, and undetectable GH serum levels in response to three pharmacological stimuli. Diagnosis of isolated GH deficiency type 1A was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis of genomic DNA which pointed out GH-N gene deletion. The introduction of bio-methionyl-GH therapy in this patient was followed by a transient and clinically irrelevant appearance of low binding capacity GH antibodies as well as by a long-lasting catch-up growth (42.2 cm) which is continuing 44 months after beginning of treatment. This atypical pattern confirms that immune and growth response to exogenous GH in isolated GH deficiency 1A may be very heterogeneous.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1991

[Ectopic pregnancy. A ten-year case load of the Obstetric and Gynecologic Department of the Ospedale Civile of Taranto].

The Authors report the ectopic pregnancies incidence in the period from 1-1-79 to 31-12-88 at Department of Obstetric and Gynecology of the Hospital in Taranto. The ectopic pregnancies discovered were 130 with a rate of 0.49% versus the deliveries (26,515) and of 0.18% versus all the women recovered (70,024). The Authors observed no increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and stress the value of early clinical diagnosis to preserve reproductive functions in these patients.

Female↗
PubMed1990

[Male genito-urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and seminal characteristics: use of minocycline].

The authors evaluated the activity of Minocycline in 30 male patients with urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and alterations of the seminal parameters using three different dosage schedules (100 mg/day for 10 days, 200 mg/day for 10 days and 200 mg/day for 20 days). At baseline, at the end of therapy and one month after clinical and bacteriological parameters and seminal characteristics, including some sperm function tests (acridine orange test to study chromatin heterogeneity; triple staining technique, to study acrosome; swim-up technique, to study the sperm kinetics) were verified. The seminal characteristics were checked again three and six months after the end of the therapy. All the results show that Minocycline is an excellent drug for the treatment of urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis both for its therapeutic efficacy and for the absence of side effects. Although 10 days cycles using 1 cap/day are sufficient to eliminate inflammation and infection, in order to obtain more valid results it is preferable to use the following dosage schedule: 200 mg/day of antibiotic (100 mg twice daily) for 10 days. The results of our trial show that in cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection associated with dispermia (reduced nemaspermic concentration, hypomotility, teratozoospermia, increased number of leucocytes), if the parameters of sperm function are within normal limits, the resolution of the infection is usually followed by a recovery of normozoospermia. Follow-up performed 3 and 6 months after the end of treatment showed an increase in the number of spermatozoa, a percentage increase in their motility, mostly in the progressive motility, and a reduction of the atypical forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Enoxacin in the treatment of male genital infections in patients with antisperm autoimmune pathology].

Anti-sperm antibodies are frequently present in patients bearing infections of the genital tract and a cause-effect relationship is suspected in these two pathological conditions. In an open, uncontrolled study, the Authors tested the therapeutical effect on both autoimmune anti-sperm and infectious genital tract diseases. Thirty patients, age 30.3 +/- 3.6 years (mean +/- D.S.; range 25-42), were admitted to the study. In all patients the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by a positive sperm culture for enoxacin sensitive germs. Eleven out of 30 patients (36.7%) were also found to be positive by both immunofluorescence and immunoenzymatic tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis at the beginning of the study. At day 0 (first menstrual cycle day of the patients' partner) enoxacin treatment (300 mg twice daily) was started with the patients and their partners for a period of 30 and 12 days respectively. Sperm culture and both the above mentioned tests for Chlamydia Trachomatis were subsequently repeated on day 5 of therapy (first control) and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th controls respectively) after the end of treatment. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by both Dunnett and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Isolated germs from pre-treatment sperm culture were classified as Enterococcus (17/30 cases: 56.7%) E. Coli (8/30: 26.6%), Klebsiella (2/30: 6.6%) and St Albus, Proteus and Enterococcus-Klebsiella coinfections (1/30 cases: 3.3% each).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radio-immuno binding test for anti-sperm antibody detection: analysis and critical revision of various methodological steps.

The authors report the results of a methodological study to optimize a radioimmunoassay to detect anti-sperm antibodies. They describe here the definitive methodology with all the data relating to the laboratory trials conducted at each step of the technique. Results seem to demonstrate that this radioimmunological method is sufficiently simple, specific, sensitive and reliable for use in a highly specialized laboratory of reproductive immunology. Furthermore, this type of analytical approach, whilst indicating once more the difficulty of the technical study of anti-sperm autoimmunity, confirms (with concrete data) the necessity of being extremely "prudent" in evaluating the results of this kind of anti-sperm antibody test.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antisperm antibodies in young boys.

The authors report the results of antisperm antibody tests carried out on a group of 159 pre-pubertal boys suffering from various testicular pathologies. The data show that 21% of the patients' sera showed antibody activity against antigens on the sperm of healthy fertile donors. None of the control sera was ASA positive. Some differences were observed in pathology and age distribution of positivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Glutathione therapy for male infertility.

Eleven infertile men were treated with glutathione (600 mg/day IM) for 2 months. The patients were suffering from dyspermia associated with various andrological pathologies. Standard semen and computer analyses of sperm motility were carried out before treatment and after 30 and 60 days of therapy. Glutathione exerted significant effect on sperm motility patterns. Glutathione appears to have a therapeutic effect on some andrological pathologies causing male infertility.

Autoantibodies↗