Seminal plasma melatonin and semen parameters.
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Humans↗
Biomedical subjects
G W Schulenburg
Publications and source records attributed to G W Schulenburg.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in infertile males attending the andrology clinic at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect the physiology of male/female reproduction. Chronic bacterial infection of semen is uncommon, but may be a cause of male infertility. Antibacterial treatment results in improvement in sperm quality, once the infection is eradicated. Little is known about how infection with Mycoplasma hominis affects semen quality, but treatment with antibiotics improves motility and decreases the percentage of coiled tails. Chlamydia trachomatis is not frequently isolated from the urethral cultures of normal men, but is a major cause of nongonococcal urethritis and epididymitis. Chlamydia is an important cause of epididymal and oviductal obstruction. Trichomonas vaginalis most frequently colonizes the vagina and cervix of women and the anterior urethra of the male sexual partners. The highest prevalence is in sexually active men and women and Trichomoniasis may well be the most common STD. Syphilis may be an important cofactor in facilitating transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A history of syphilis or a positive serologic test for syphilis is associated with HIV seropositivity in men. In South Africa, the seropositivity in pregnant black women ranges from 11-20%. Ga-Rankuwa Hospital is the referral center for 40 peripheral hospitals and over 4 million people. Since the inception of the Andrology Laboratory in June 1985, more than 5300 semen analyses have been performed on 2000 patients.
Africa↗
Melatonin impairs sperm motility--a novel finding.
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Humans↗
[Microbial flora in semen of infertile African men at Garankuwa hospital].
This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of bacteria and Mycoplasmas in semen of infertile African men and to compare abnormal semen parameters with the presence of these organisms. Routine semen analysis were performed on 100 patients, and semen and first-voided urine samples were cultured. Mycoplasma hominis was cultured in 28% of seminal fluid and Ureaplasma urealyticum in 42%. These organisms were both present in 22% of cultures. Bacteriological cultures were positive in 6 urine and 21 seminal specimens. The frequency of tail abnormalities in the Mycoplasma positive group was greater as compared to normal values. From these it would appear that culture for Ureaplasma should probably be performed routinely at the Andrology Clinic.
Bacteria↗
The onset of puberty in Tswana schoolboys: a need for sex education.
Spermaturia can be used as an indicator of genital and sexual maturation in puberty. In this study the mean age of the onset of puberty in Tswana schoolboys was determined. Of the boys between 10 and 13 years, only one (1.22%) aged 13 had spermaturia, compared with 61 boys (88.4%) in the group 14-16 years. The mean age of boys with spermaturia was 14.95 +/- 0.85 years. The possible onset of puberty as calculated by the presence of spermaturia was between 14.10 and 15.80 years. It would seem, therefore, that from the age of 14 years, a boy might theoretically be able to father a child. The need for sex education at school is thus of paramount importance.
Adolescent↗
Observations in infertile African males at an andrology clinic in South Africa.
The major cause of infertility among black Africans is traditionally attributed to a female factor and few reports are available on the male factor. This study analyzed the clinical and seminal data obtained from a population of 1726 suspected infertile African men evaluated from July 1985 to June 1991. The possible cause of infertility was judged on the results of first semen analysis. Of these men, 49% were secondarily infertile and 36% had previously received treatment for a urethral discharge. Varicocoeles were present in 183 cases (11%) and 11% had serological evidence of previous exposure to syphilis. Azoospermia was present in 152 patients (9%), 5% had polizoospermia, 45% had hypospermia (< 2 mL) and 9% (> 6 mL) had hyperspermia. In 70% of patients a possible contributing male factor for infertility was found. It would appear that the male factor contributed significantly to infertility, and evaluation of the black African male can therefore be regarded as a rewarding venture.
Adult↗
Melatonin and steroid-dependent carcinomas.
In this study the concentrations of plasma melatonin in patients with either prostatic or breast carcinoma were compared to the levels of controls. The mean melatonin was statistically lower in patients with breast cancer as compared to controls (p less than 0.005). In prostatic carcinoma patients, the mean melatonin was statistically higher than in the control group (p less than 0.005). From the results it would seem that low melatonin levels could possibly play a role in breast carcinoma, but the same did not necessarily applied to prostatic cancer.
Androgens↗
Melatonin and sperm motility.
Several substances can interfere with microtubular function eg. colchicine. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland has similar effects as colchicine on microtubules. In this study melatonin levels were determined in both plasma and seminal plasma of patients with good or impaired motility and forward progression. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean plasma and seminal plasma values of patients with good or impaired motility and forward progression. There was no correlation between seminal plasma melatonin and impaired motility or any other semen parameter. There was also no correlation between plasma and seminal plasma concentrations of melatonin. High seminal plasma melatonin concentrations were not necessarily associated with impaired sperm motility. From these it is concluded that seminal plasma melatonin plays no important role in sperm motility.
Humans↗