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Biomedical subjects

H Levinsky

Publications and source records attributed to H Levinsky.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Ultrastructure of rabbit endosalpinx and glycoprotein pattern of the oviduct fluid in the presence of copper intrauterine devices.

Oviduct fluid was collected from 24 mature female rabbits in estrus fitted with a copper intrauterine device (IUD) in one of the uterine horns by laparotomy and examined for total sugar and protein content. The percentage of total sugar in the dry protein-containing material from the experimental side was 7.3 compared to 5.2 from the control side. The percentage of total protein was 67.0% of the total dry material from the experimental side, compared to 77.7% in the control side. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis confirmed these findings, demonstrating an increase in the strength of the periodic acid-Schiff stain bands of the glycoproteins from the copper IUD side and a weaker Ponceau-S stain of the protein bands. The ampullary-isthmic area and the uterotubal junction of both oviducts were examined with the scanning electron microscope. The secretory and ciliary cells on the copper IUD side were damaged in these two areas. These changes can be attributed to the presence and action of the copper ions in the oviduct milieu.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effect of copper intrauterine devices on the chemical composition of rabbit oviduct fluid.

Oviduct fluid, collected from 65 mature, female rabbits in estrus and in which a modified copper intrauterine device (IUD) was introduced by laparotomy in one of the uterine horns, was examined for chemical composition. No differences were noted for sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate between the two sides. The copper content was found to be significantly higher in the IUD side (12.80 +/- 3.01 microgram/100 ml), as compared to the control side (9.0 +/- 1.0 microgram/100 ml), the toxicity of which, to blastocyst development, has been reported in some cases. Total protein in the experimental side was significantly higher (258.52 +/- 36.22 mg/100 ml) than in the control side (156.67 +/- 26.45 mg/100 ml). The same was found for sialic acid, 5.30 +/- 0.62 microgram/ml, compared to 3.66 +/- 0.27 microgram/ml, suggesting that a part of the increased protein can be ascribed to glycoprotein. Oviduct fluid glucose was found to be lower in the copper IUD side than in the control side (10.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 17.7 +/- 0.3 mg/100 ml). These findings may be explained on the basis of an inflammatory process, taking place in the side of the copper IUD, and should be used with cautiousness in adolescent, and nulligravidae women.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Red blood cell membrane and serum sialic acid in relation to erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Sialic acid was determined in red blood cell (RBC) membrane and in serum, and correlated to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). For this purpose blood samples were obtained from 57 patients, regardless of their pathological condition, and divided into groups according to the ESR. 15 blood samples obtained from health individuals whose ESR was lower than 20 mm/h served as controls. Sialic acid was released from RBC membranes obtained by hemolysis, and from serum glycoproteins precipitated with ethanol by treatment with 0.1 N HCl at 80 degrees C for 1 h. The results showed the sialic acid contents of both membranes and serum to be higher in most of the groups with elevated ESR, as compared to the control group, although no quantitative correlation was noticed. Statistical evaluation showed highly significant differences between the group of pathological samples as a whole and the control group in the sialic acid content of both RBC membranes and sera.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of normozoospermic human spermatozoa into subpopulations by selective agglutination with peanut agglutinin.

Incubation of human spermatozoa of normozoospermic origin with the galactose specific lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in agglutination of the majority of sperm. This finding enabled separation of sperm into two subpopulations. The major one, accounting for 87.0 +/- 12.7 (SD)% consisted of agglutinating sperm (PNA+), while the minor subpopulation (PNA-) did not bind the lectin. The correlation between the percentages of PNA- sperm and acrosome-damaged sperm, as detected by light microscopy prior to separation, was analysed and an overlapping has been found. Light and electron microscopy examination revealed that the PNA- cells were either acrosomeless or possessed severely damaged acrosomes while the PNA+ sperm were mostly free of such pathologies. Following treatment of sperm with fluorescin-conjugated PNA the single cells lacked any labeling while the agglutinates exhibited fluorescence. However, the binding of the lectin to sperm was non-uniform and differences in fluorescence intensity at various parts of the head have been observed. The sialic acid content in PNA+ sperm was found to be significantly higher (7.5 +/- 2.2 micrograms/10(8) sperm) as compared to PNA- sperm (2.1 +/- 0.6 micrograms/10(8) sperm). It was suggested that sialic acid content could be a biochemical indicator of acrosomal integrity. Separation of sperm by selective PNA agglutination might be valuable for elimination of sperm affected by acrosomal pathologies from the ejaculate.

Galactose↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of sub-populations of sperm with higher fertility potential from normal and pathological semen by peanut agglutinin.

Incubation of human sperm from semen with counts below 20 x 10(6)/ml with peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in agglutination of about 70% of sperm. An inverse correlation was found between non-agglutinating (PNA) sperm and sperm density (r = 0.48, p less than 0.01) and a direct correlation with acrosome-damaged sperm (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001). Binding of 125I-PNA to sperm revealed high, and possibly also low affinity binding sites on sperm from both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic origins. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that agglutinated, PNA+, sperm had lower frequency of acrosomeless spermatozoa than PNA(-)-sperm (44% versus 77%) and higher fertility score (+0.18 +/- 0.1 and -1.5 +/- 0.87 respectively, p less than 0.01). Removal of PNA- sperm from oligozoospermic semen may increase the fertility score of the remaining sperm.

Cell Separation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of sialyl transferase activity by gossypol acetic acid in human seminal plasma.

Seventeen aliquots of 15 microliters seminal plasma of human origin were incubated with 25 micrograms, 15 micrograms, 5 micrograms and 2.5 micrograms gossypol acetic acid (GAA), dissolved in BWW containing 0.9% sodium chloride and 0.9% benzyl alcohol, at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes. Following incubation, activity of sialyl transferase (S.T.) was determined by a procedure involving incorporation of radioactive sialic acid into asialofetuin. The activity of S.T., expressed as cpm per hour per 15 microliters seminal plasma was compared to controls consisting in incubation of sperm in BWW containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol and 0.9% sodium chloride. The activity of S.T. in controls represented 61.3 +/- 8.0%-67.7 +/- 8.9% of the activity obtained by incubation with BWW only. GAA was found to exert a dose-dependent inhibition of S.T. activity, ranging from 38.3 +/- 20.6% to 53.4 +/- 19.4% (with 25 micrograms) and from 11.3 +/- 14.8% to 21.9 +/- 14.8% (with 2.5 micrograms).

Gossypol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Low energy narrow band non-coherent infrared illumination of human semen and isolated sperm.

Sixty-two samples of human normal and abnormal semen and 23 samples of washed sperm were illuminated for 4 minutes with a narrow band non-coherent infrared device (BioBeam). Immediately after illumination the following parameters were examined in comparison with appropriate controls: motility, viability and morphology, fructose content of semen, acrosome reaction of sperm, viscosity of seminal plasma and analysis of the protein pattern. The mean value of motility grade calculated for the total number of 62 semen samples was 2.58 +/- 0.79 versus 2.17 +/- 0.75 (non illuminated controls), P less than 0.005. The mean value of motility grade of 23 samples of washed sperm was 2.89 +/- 0.77 versus 2.43 +/- 0.62, respectively (P less than 0.01). In two illuminated seminal plasma specimens, the viscosity was decreased by 8.8% and 14.8%, the protein content and pattern remained, however, unchanged. Neither the percentages of motile, viable and morphologically normal sperm, nor the fructose content of semen were found to be affected by the illumination.

Acrosome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral bromhexine has no effect on tear and lysosyme secretion in healthy subjects.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether bromhexine (Solvex) affects the rate of tear secretion or the concentration of lysosyme in the tear fluid in healthy subjects. The rate of tear secretion and lysosyme concentration in tear fluid were estimated in 56 healthy volunteers before and after 3 weeks of oral administration of placebo (tablets of vitamin C, 200 mg per day) followed by bromhexine tablets, 32 mg per day. Shirmer's test I was performed to evaluate the tear secretion, and the lysosyme plate method was used to detect lysosyme concentration. Shirmer's test showed similar results before and after placebo and bromhexine administration. In conclusion, oral bromhexine was found to have no effect on the rate of tear secretion, nor on the concentration of lysosyme in the tear fluid of healthy subjects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Some characteristics of azoospermic human semen.

Of 260 volume measurements and 265 fructose determinations on 257 azoospermic semen samples, the volume was normal (1-6 mL) in 78%, low in 16.7%, and high in 5.2%. The percentage of azoospermic samples with low volume was greater than that found for samples containing sperm. Mean fructose concentrations were similar in high-volume and normovolemic azoospermic samples, but significantly lower in low-volume samples. There was no correlation between (a) the etiology of the azoospermia and abnormal semen volume or fructose concentration (save for cases of obstruction and/or atrophic seminal vesicles) or (b) semen volume, fructose concentration, and serum LH, FSH, testosterone, or prolactin.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semen volume and fructose content of human semen. Survey of the years 1980-1989.

The communication presents percentages of semen with low (less than 1 ml) and high (greater than or equal to 6 ml) volume and of semen with decreased fructose content (less than 1 ml) in the total number of 8,128 human specimens analyzed during the years 1980-1989. Percentages of low volume specimens and of specimens with decreased fructose content were found to increase with time. High volume semen lacked such trend.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of seminal plasma and polyaminic substances on the motility of isolated human sperm.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence on the motility patterns of isolated human sperm of seminal plasma originating from semen of high and low motility, as well as of seminal plasma of azoospermic origin. Also assessed was the effect of incubation of sperm in the presence of solutions of the polyamines spermine, spermidine, and putrescine. The mean values of the obtained motility percentage and grade were related to the quality of sperm motility in semen and the quality of seminal plasma in that respect. The best results were obtained with specimens containing greater than or equal to 50% motile sperm and having a motility grade greater than or equal to 2. No relationship was found between the concentrations of polyamines in the seminal plasma and sperm motility of respective semen, as well as between the levels of polyamines and their effect on isolated sperm motility. It appears that the participation of polyaminic substances in the process of motility could be contributive and dependent on additional factors present in the semen.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sialic acid content of human spermatozoa in relation to age and quality of sperm.

Sialic acid (SA) has been estimated in human spermatozoa separated according to age by the use of a discontinuous gradient of human serum albumin (HSA), and according to quality (viability and motility) by the use of a discontinuous gradient of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The amount of SA in the "mature" sperm was 3.5 +/- 0.7 (SD) micrograms/mg protein, whereas in the immature sperm subpopulation, enriched with morphologically abnormal sperm, it was 6.9 +/- 3.4 micrograms/mg protein (P = .05). SA estimated in spermatozoa separated according to quality had values of 3.6 +/- 1.2 micrograms/mg protein in sperm of higher quality and 4.1 +/- 1.3 micrograms/mg protein in that of lower quality; this difference was not of statistical significance. It is suggested that changes in SA levels might reflect differences in the degree of sialylation of protein in the subpopulation of sperm, and thus be related to various stages in the fertilization process.

Cell Separation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The evaluation of routine andrological parameters in human serum.

A study was carried out to evaluate the andrological parameters in 540 human semen specimens divided into groups according to sperm counts. The parameters were: motility percentage and grade, percentage of viability and of morphologically normal sperm and immature cells. The Duncan multiple range test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with multiple comparison of ranks were used in the statistical analyses. Of particular interest, among other our findings, were the significant differences obtained by comparing the group with sperm counts up to 5 x 10(6) per ml semen and that with counts ranging from 5.1 to 10 x 10(6) per ml semen. This was true for all parameters with the exception of semen volume. Comparison of the oligozoospermic groups (up to 20 x 10(6)/ml) with those having higher sperm counts also showed significant differences. There was a trend towards improvement of the examined parameters with the increase in sperm density, but with a remarkable heterogeneity particularly within the oligozoospermic groups. In all groups motility, viability and morphological normality of sperm showed a positive correlation with each other. "Normal values" of the parameters studied could be derived from scatterplot charts over the entire range of sperm counts and from the statistical evaluation of the grouped material.

Humans↗