Ultrastructural sperm investigations in normospermic subjects with repeated failures of oocyte fertilizations.
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Acrosome↗
Biomedical subjects
G Ruvolo
Publications and source records attributed to G Ruvolo.
Computer-assisted assessment of the variations of sperm kinetics after semen treatment with Pellet Swim-up (PSu), and with centrifugation on a discontinuous Percoll gradient at reduced volumes (mini-CDPG).
The semen of the male partners of 37 infertile couples was analyzed with the use of the HTM-S Motility Analyzer (HTM-S MA). For each sample it was thus possible to assess the Total Concentration (TC), the Motile Cell Population Concentration (MCPC), the Progressive Cell Population Concentration (PCPC), the Average Path Velocity (VAP), the Straight Line Velocity (VSL), the Curvilinear Velocity (VCL), the Straightness (STR), the Linearity (LIN), the Lateral Head Displacement (ALH) and the Head Size (HS). The same parameters were then measured on the same semen after treatment with the Pellet Swim-up (PSu) and following Centrifugation on reduced-volume Discontinuous Percoll gradient (mini-CDPG). There was a significant difference in the TC (51.63 M/ml +/- 43.99 in the untreated ejaculate, 11.48 M/ml +/- 9.66 after PSu, 7.94 M/ml +/- 7.3 after mini-CDPG; chi r2 = 50.392, p < 0.05), in the MCPC (20.95 M/ml +/- 26.29 in the untreated ejaculate, 3.79 M/ml +/- 4.26 after PSu, and 2.74 M/ml +/- 3.73 after mini-CDPG; chi r2 = 33.55, p < 0.05), and in the PCPC (7.8 M/ml +/- 12.87 in the untreated ejaculate, 1.81 M/ml +/- 2.36 after PSu, and 1.28 M/ml +/- 1.73 after min-CDPG; chi r2 = 6.38; p < 0.05). The overall comparison between the couples showed a significant difference in the MCPC after PSu and after mini-CDPG (z = -2.09, p < 0.05) whereas no significant difference was found in the comparison off the results of either the TC after PSu and after mini-CDPG (z = -1.9; NS), or of the PCPC after PSu and after mini-CDPG (z = -1.68; NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Advantages of treatment with human follicular fluid in the management of severely dyspermic patients in human in vitro fertilization programs.
In 26 couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET), where the male partner was severely dyspermic, the seminal fluid was treated with Pellet Swim-up (PSu), modified by a 20-minute sperm incubation period in non-decomplemented human follicular fluid (hFF) diluted to 50%. In another group of 26 severely dyspermic couples undergoing IVF/ET, the semen was treated with a variant of centrifugation on discontinuous Percoll gradients (CDPG), called mini-CDPG. Pre-treatment with hFF produced a significant increase in oocyte fertilization rate (46.8% in the hFF group compared with 18.4% in the mini-CDPG couples; Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test: D = 0.5, p < 0.01), in the transfer rate per patient (96.1% in the hFF group and 50% in the mini-CDPG group; (Chi-square Test: x2 = 11.827, p < 0.001), and in the pregnancy rate per patient (respectively of 26.9% and 0%; Fisher's exact probability test: P = 0.0049, p < 0.01). There was a high miscarriage rate in the pregnancies obtained in the hFF group (42.8%). The results might be linked to a positive effect of the hFF on sperm capacity and on acrosome reaction. The Authors conclude that the use of hFF would seem to be an extremely useful treatment of the semen of severely dyspermic patients in assisted fertilization programs.
Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Fertilization of oocytes by testicular spermatozoa and pregnancy in the human.
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Female↗
Assisted fertilization with epididymal spermatozoa.
In vitro fertilization is used for several years as a technique for resolving infertility problems due to moderate or severe oligospermia. More recently, techniques of micro-insemination of oocytes have also become available for cases of extremely severe oligospermia which cannot be resolved by classical I.V.F. Nevertheless, although these particular techniques have already led to results which have gone far beyond initial hopes, they are not able to resolve all cases of male sterility. There are indeed many situations of excretory azoospermia associated with normal spermatogenesis; the spermatozoa remain trapped in a more or less extensive part of the epididymis because its passage is blocked, either because of post-infectious sclerosis, or of agenesis of a variably extensive area of the Wolffian duct. Post-inflammatory occlusions can be treated by micro-surgery, whereas in cases of agenesis, attempts to collect spermatozoa by means of an artificial spermatocele have led to far too many failures, and this technique has now been abandoned, in spite of some successful pregnancies. The extraordinary development of in vitro fertilization techniques has led to the logical idea that it might be possible to collect epididymal spermatozoa for oocyte fertilization.
Epididymis↗
[Quality of life in patients undergoing mitral valve substitution].
AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of life after mitral valve replacement through the analysis of behavioural, psychological, functional, economic and working changes, as well as alterations in social and sexual life after surgery. SETTING: The study was performed before and after surgery in a cardiological ward. POPULATION: The population studied included 206 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery. Results were compared with a control population of patients suffering from mitral valve disease and receiving medical therapy. METHOD: All patients were asked by medical staff to compile a series of five self-evaluation questionnaires: General Well-Being Schedule, Physical Symptoms Distress Index B, Social Participation, Sexual Satisfaction Unified Test and Work Performance and Satisfaction. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant improvement in the perception of quality of life after mitral valve replacement. In particular, the state of general well-being improved significantly with a clear reduction in symptoms. This was accompanied by a reduction in sexual activity and no change in social life or working capacity. Data obtained in the group of patients operated showed a significant improvement in the perception of the quality of life and psycho-physical well-being compared to patients receiving medical treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS: From this study it can be seen that patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery experience a marked improvement in the quality of life compared to pre-operative conditions and to the group of patients receiving medical therapy for mitral valve diseases. The use of specific working and social rehabilitation programmes can certainly optimise the results also with regard to affective relations.
Aged↗
Activation of the acrosome reaction after treatment with human follicular fluid. A morphofunctional evaluation useful for in vitro fertilization.
Studies aided by transmission electron microscopy were made in order to evaluate the occurrence and efficiency of the human follicular fluid in the activation of the processes leading to the acrosome reaction; quantitative, qualitative and morphological data and relative evaluations are here presented. The effects of the human follicular fluid were compared with those determined by other types of treatment, semen untreated, Pellet-Swim-up, and Centrifugation on Discontinuous Percoll Gradient. The transmission electron microscope observations permitted to evaluate the percentage of sperm with an activation of the acrosome reaction in the different groups. The analysis of the data showed a statistically relevant difference (P < 0.001) among the first group (Control group) and the SU group, the MP group and the hFF group, regarding the sperm with AR activation. The sperm treatment with 50% diluted hFF represents an important option to the preparation protocols of the semen samples useful for ART.
Acrosome↗