Biomedical subjects

M Rajalakshmi

Publications and source records attributed to M Rajalakshmi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Semen quality and sperm functional parameters in fertile Indian men.

The reports of a decline in the reproductive health of men worldwide prompted the present study to be undertaken so that baseline semen parameters could be established in Indian men. Semen profile and sperm function parameters were evaluated in 368 Indian men of proven fertility, settled in Delhi. The results of the study were compared with available published information from Indian men. The mean sperm concentration and semen volumes were 68.22 +/- 15.14 x 10(6) ml(-1) and 3.20 +/- 0.94 ml, respectively. Rapid, linear progressive motility and sluggish linear motility were 40.95 +/- 9.15% and 24.95 +/- 7.01%, respectively. A comparison of the results of the present study with earlier published data did not support the contention of a decrease in the semen quality in Indian men.

Acrosome↗

PubMed2006

Obstructive infertility: changes in the histology of different regions of the epididymis and morphology of spermatozoa.

In the present study, the effects of prolonged obstruction in different regions of the human epididymis on its histology and on the spermatozoa retained at the site of obstruction were assessed. Men who were confirmed of having obstruction of the epididymis underwent vasoepididymostomy (VEA) for surgical correction of the obstruction. At the time of surgery, fluid from the epididymal tubule above the site of obstruction was aspirated and examined for sperm profile. Epididymal tissue, collected at the site of obstruction, was processed for assessment of histological changes and also used to identify the site of obstruction. Prolonged obstruction of the epididymis has caused degeneration of the epididymal epithelium, gradual decrease in the diameter of the tubule and tubular lumen and increase in the intertubular connective tissue. Sperm aspirated from the caput epididymal fluid showed sluggish pattern of motility only in one out of the six subjects, whereas spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymal fluid showed rapid linear progressive motility in one of three subjects. A major percentage of spermatozoa in the aspirated fluid showed various types of morphological abnormalities, irrespective of the site of obstruction. These results are discussed in relation to the role of the epididymis in investing spermatozoa with motility and fertilizing capacity.

Epididymis↗

PubMed2005

Male contraception: expanding reproductive choice.

The development of steroid-based oral contraceptives had revolutionized the availability of contraceptive choice for women. In order to expand the contraceptive options for couples by developing an acceptable, safe and effective male contraceptive, scientists have been experimenting with various steroidal/non-steroidal regimens to suppress testicular sperm production. The non-availability of a long-acting androgen was a limiting factor in the development of a male contraceptive regimen since all currently tested anti-spermatogenic agents also concurrently decrease circulating testosterone levels. A combination regimen of long-acting progestogen and androgen would have advantage over an androgen-alone modality since the dose of androgen required would be much smaller in the combination regimen, thereby decreasing the adverse effects of high steroid load. The progestogen in the combination regimen would act as the primary anti-spermatogenic agent. Currently, a number of combination regimens using progestogen or GnRH analogues combined with androgen are undergoing trials. The side effects of long-term use of androgens and progestogens have also undergone evaluation in primate models and the results of these studies need to be kept in view, while considering steroidal regimens for contraceptive use in men. Efforts are also being made to popularize non-scalpel vasectomy and to develop condoms of greater acceptability. The development of contraceptive vaccines for men, using sperm surface epitopes not expressed in female reproductive tract as source, still requires considerable research efforts.

Androgens↗

PubMed2003

Raman scattering investigations of nanocrystalline thorium oxide.

Raman scattering investigations are carried out on nanocrystalline thorium oxide powders. Shift and broadening of the Raman peak associated with F2g phonons are observed for the nanocrystalline samples as compared with those of the bulk. The peak shift and broadening are found to increase further as the particle size decreases. A quantitative analysis of the Raman line shape is carried out with a Gaussian confinement model, and the estimated size is found to be consistent with that obtained from X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.

Crystallization↗

PubMed2001

Current status of fertility control methods in India.

Approximately 48.2% of couples of 15 to 49 years of age practice family planning methods in India. Female sterilization accounts for 34.2%, with male sterilization declining from 3.4% in 1992-93 to 1.9% in 1998-99. Use of the condom increased to 3.1% from 2.4%. There is an urgent need for research to develop new contraceptive modalities especially for men and also for women and to make existing methods more safe, affordable and acceptable. Current efforts in India to develop a male contraceptive are mainly directed towards (i) development of antispermatogenic agents to suppress sperm production, (ii) prevention of sperm maturation, (iii) prevention of sperm transport through vas deferens or rendering these sperm infertile and (iv) prevention of sperm deposition. Research work in the field of prevention of sperm transport through vas deferens has made significant advances. Styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) disturbed the electrical charge of spermatozoa leading to acrosome rupture and consequent loss in fertilizing ability of sperm. A multicentre phase-III clinical trial using SMA is continuing and it is hoped that the SMA approach would be available in the near future as an indigenously developed injectable intra-vasal male contraceptive. The safety and efficacy of available oral contraceptives were evaluated. An indigenously developed oral contraceptive 'Centchorman', which is a nonsteroidal, weakly estrogenic but potently antiestrogenic, was found to be safe and effective and is now being marketed in India since 1991 as a 'once a week' pill. Cyclofem and Mesigyna have been recommended as injectable contraceptives with proper counselling and service delivery by Indian studies. It has been recommended that these injectable contraceptives be added to the existing range of contraceptive methods available in the National Family Planning Programme. Based on the Indian studies CuT 200 was also recommended. Studies have indicated the advantage of intrauterine devices (IUD); they are long acting, relatively easily removed and fertility returns rapidly after their removal. Recent studies have recommended CuT 200 for use up to 5 years. The combination of some plant products i.e. Embelia ribes, Borax and Piper longum has been found to be safe and effective as a female contraceptive and the results of phase-I clinical trials are encouraging. Research work is going on in the country in various areas with special reference to hormonal contraceptive - a three monthly injectable contraceptive, immuno-contraceptives, antiprogestins, etc.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of efficacy, safety, and reversibility of combination regimen of cyproterone acetate and testosterone buciclate in bonnet monkey.

A combination regimen of cyproterone acetate (CPA) and testosterone buciclate (TB) was evaluated for its contraceptive efficacy, safety, and reversibility in bonnet monkeys. Cyproterone acetate (5 mg in 0.2 mL of olive oil) injected daily for 180 days, in combination with 40 mg testosterone buciclate given i.m. on days 0, 60, and 120 in the monkeys of group II (n = 6) induced azoospermia in all animals by 120 days, which was maintained until day 210. By day 240 sperm concentration increased gradually and reached baseline values by day 330. When 5mg of cyproterone acetate was injected daily for a similar duration in combination with a higher dose (80 mg) of testosterone buciclate in the monkeys of group III (n = 6) on days 0, 60, and 120, uniform and consistent azoospermia could not be achieved and two animals remained oligozoospermic even after 180 days of treatment. Mean sperm concentration did not return to baseline values until the day that the study ended, i.e. day 330. In groups II and III serum testosterone levels were elevated (p <0.05) from days 9-120 except on day 150 and returned to near baseline values by day 330. Serum testosterone levels were higher in group III compared to group II. The sperm concentration and testosterone levels in control animals (group I; n = 6) showed fluctuations. Lipid profile and liver function parameters did not show significant changes in any group. The present data clearly indicate that administration of CPA and TB in proper dosage combination can provide an effective, safe, and reversible method of male contraception.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of the ability of levonorgestrel butanoate alone, or in combination with testosterone buciclate, to suppress spermatogenesis in the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata).

Levonorgestrel butanoate, 0.25, 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, administered as two injections 60 days apart (groups II, III, IV), failed to suppress spermatogenesis consistently and uniformly in adult bonnet monkeys (group size, n=6) compared to controls (group I). Levonorgestrel butanoate at the same doses combined with two simultaneous injections of 40 mg testosterone buciclate (groups V, VI, VII), consistently suppressed spermatogenesis in the period 60-240 days and in most animals to azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (<5 x 106/mL) during days 90-210. The degree and duration of suppression were greatest in group VI. Sperm motility declined in all treated animals and spermatozoa in the semen of animals from groups V and VI lost all progressive motility in the period 60-150 and 60-210 days, respectively. The changes in testosterone levels were similar in groups V and VI, increasing within 24 h after the combined injection to reach a peak by day 28 followed by a sharp decrease until day 67. The second injection increased testosterone levels by a lesser degree to peak levels on day 81. In group VII, testosterone levels decreased until day 59 after the first injection but increased to a maximum on day 81 after the second injection followed by a gradual decrease until day 150 to below baseline values. Peak levels of serum levonorgestrel were observed 1-7 days after injection of levonorgestrel butanoate alone. Clearance of the drug was slow, being detectable in the circulation until day 330 of the 360 day study period in the high dose group. Dose-response increases to peak levels of levonorgestrel were attained on day 7 in groups V, VI and VII, after the first injection. After the second injection, peak levels were seen on day 61 in groups V and VI and on day 81 in group VII. Levonorgestrel was no longer detectable in blood in groups V and VI by days 210 and 300, respectively, but small circulating amounts remained in group VII at the conclusion of the study on day 360. This study indicates that when levonorgestrel butanoate is combined with a long-acting androgen and injected at two-monthly intervals, effective and reversible suppression of spermatogenesis is achieved.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of long-term administration of testosterone enanthate on glucose metabolism in rhesus monkeys.

The effects of long term administration of testosterone enanthate (TE) on glucose metabolism including glucose tolerance test (GTT) and fasting serum insulin levels were evaluated in adult rhesus monkeys kept under controlled dietary conditions. Adult male rhesus monkeys (n = 9) were administered 50 mg of TE bimonthly for 32 months, whereas control animals were injected the vehicle only. Glucose concentration reached a maximum 5 min after an intravenous glucose load and thereafter decreased gradually to reach near baseline values within 60 min. Significant changes in GTT or t1/2 of glucose were not seen in animals treated with TE, throughout the treatment period. However, serum insulin levels decreased significantly from months 27-32 of TE treatment and returned to baseline values within 3 months of recovery.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of long-term treatment with testosterone enanthate in rhesus monkeys: I. Pharmacokinetics of testosterone, testicular volume and liver metabolism of testosterone.

The effects of long-term administration of testosterone enanthate on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of testosterone were studied in adult male rhesus monkeys (n = 9), injected with 50 mg of testosterone enanthate (TE) once every 14 days for a total of 32 months. Control animals were injected with 0.2 mL olive oil. Serum testosterone levels increased sharply within 24 h of the first injection of TE and reached a peak on day 3 followed by a sharp decline, but baseline values were not reached even by day 14. Subsequent injections of TE caused a similar pharmacokinetic profile until the 55th injection; testosterone levels on day 3 declined from the 56 to 58th injection and remained in a lower range until the last injection. Repeated injections of TE increased the bioavailability of testosterone as shown by the Area Under the Curve. The nocturnal (22.00 h) surge in testosterone levels during the pretreatment phase was abolished by TE injections. TE injections altered the metabolism of testosterone by the liver, as studied in vitro; while liver from control animals converted testosterone to androstenedione as the major metabolite, androsterone was the major metabolite in chronically TE-treated animals. Spermatogenesis and the associated increase in testicular volume observed in control animals in winter were suppressed in TE-treated animals. The results indicate that repeated TE injections elevate serum testosterone to supra-physiological levels with marked fluctuations in circulating testosterone levels after each injection. Possibly in response to these elevated levels, there was a change in the metabolism of testosterone by the liver as observed in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects of long-term use of testosterone enanthate. II. Effects on lipids, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver function parameters.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of long-term administration of testosterone enanthate (TE) on lipid and liver function parameters in rhesus monkeys (n = 9) maintained under controlled dietary conditions. Bimonthly administration of 50 mg of TE increased serum testosterone into the supraphysiological range one day after injection and peak levels were seen on day 3, followed by a decrease to above baseline values by day 14. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels decreased gradually; compared to baseline values, the decline was significant from the 19th month of injection until the first month of recovery. The increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio during the treatment period was not significant compared to baseline values; however, when compared to control animals, HDL-C and LDL-C levels and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly elevated from the 12th month until the end of the treatment period. All lipid parameters recovered by the end of the treatment period. Control animals (n = 9) did not show significant changes in HDL-C and LDL-C levels and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio during the study period. Total cholesterol levels decreased in control (n = 9) and treated animals from 6 to 15th months of the treatment period, coinciding with the feeding of sprouted grams to animals. TE injections did not change the levels of triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin in control and treated animals. However, transaminase (SGOT and SGPT) levels increased following TE injections and remained elevated until the end of injections followed by a return to baseline values or below during the recovery period. These effects could be due to the pharmacokinetic profile of TE in which testosterone levels were elevated to supraphysiological values after injections. The recovery of the TE-induced changes in lipid parameters and liver transminases is reassuring but the changes in these parameters during TE injections indicate the need for long-acting androgens with better pharmacokinetic properties.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1999

Culture of prostate epithelial cells of the rhesus monkey on extracellular matrix substrate: influence of steroids and insulin-like growth factors.

Rhesus monkey prostate epithelial cells from the cranial lobe were isolated and cultured in flasks coated either with collagen IV or laminin. The effects of stromal cell medium, androgens and growth factors on cell number, thymidine incorporation and secretory activity were assessed. The results indicate that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androstenedione have stimulatory influences on cell proliferation and secretion in coated flasks. DHT was more effective in increasing cell number but the induction of secretory activity was similar with both steroids. The combination of IGF-I and -II resulted in inducing better cell proliferation and secretory activity than the individual IGFs but, of the two IGFs, IGF-I was more effective than IGF-II. DHT with IGFs was more potent in inducing proliferation, differentiation and secretion than androstenedione. Even in the absence of steroids or growth factors, colony formation and confluence occurred in coated flasks but cell differentiation and secretion only to a limited extent. In conclusion, we were able to establish an in vitro primary culture of prostate epithelial cells from rhesus monkey using extracellular matrix proteins, steroids and growth factors as additional supplements. This culture system may be useful to study prostate cell physiology and to identify drugs that can inhibit cell proliferation.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1998

Changes in structure and functions of prostate by long-term administration of an androgen, testosterone enanthate, in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

The increasing use of androgens in clinical trials for developing a safe, effective, and reversible male contraceptive has necessitated a critical evaluation of the effects of their long-term use on the structure and functions of the prostate gland, which is androgen dependent. Combination regimens using progestogens, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists, or antiandrogens along with androgens are undergoing clinical evaluation as antispermatogenic agents. The majority of these regimens have used testosterone enanthate (TE) as the androgen of choice, but very limited information is available on the side effects of long-term androgen use. The present study is the first report that critically evaluates the effects of long-term use of TE on prostate structure and functions. Adult male rhesus monkeys received intramuscular injections of 50 mg of TE once in 14 days for 33 months. The cranial and caudal lobes of the prostate, which were removed under ketamine anesthesia, were processed for the preparation of semithin sections to evaluate histological changes. The DNA distribution in the cells was studied in single cell suspensions of cranial and caudal lobes of the prostate by using flow cytometry. Changes in the levels of testosterone, estradiol, prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PAP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in samples collected during the pretreatment period and at the time of removal of the prostate were estimated by using conventional procedures. Control samples were processed simultaneously. The administration of TE for 33 months caused the following changes: 1) significant increase in the weight of both lobes of the prostate, 2) cellular hypertrophy and increase in secretory material in the cells and in the lumen of the acini in the central and peripheral zones of the two lobes of the prostate, 3) cellular hyperplasia indicated by flow cytometric analysis of DNA content, 4) significant increase in the secretion of PAP and levels of estradiol, and 5) a marked increase in fibromuscular stroma in the central and peripheral zones of both the lobes of the prostate. The present study is the first report to provide evidence that long-term androgen treatment has caused hypertrophy of the prostatic epithelial cells, which showed increased secretory activity. The hyperplastic changes indicate a need for the development of new androgens with a better pharmacokinetic profile for use in male contraceptive regimens.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1997

Sperm maturation in rhesus monkey: changes in ultrastructure, chromatin condensation, and organization of lipid bilayer.

BACKGROUND: The changes in ultrastructure, lipid organization, chromatin decondensation, and denaturation of rhesus monkey spermatozoa during epididymal maturation were studied. This study would provide background information that would be useful to evaluate adverse effects, if any, caused by the use of contraceptive agents. METHODS: Adult sexually mature rhesus monkeys were castrated under ketamine anesthesia. The epididymis was divided into initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymides. To study changes in lipid organization of the sperm plasma membrane during epididymal transit, spermatozoa from different epididymal segments and ejaculated spermatozoa were exposed to merocyanine 540 (MC 540). The changes in chromatin denaturation and decondensation were assessed by using the nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes, acridine orange, and ethidium bromide, respectively, prior to and after exposure to dithiothreitol (DTT). RESULTS: Testicular spermatozoa (approximately 40%) showed localization of MC 540 mainly in the midpiece, whereas remaining sperm did not localize MC 540. Spermatozoa from the initial segment of the epididymis showed uniform distribution of MC 540 localization in the head and midpiece. A pattern of localization of MC 540 similar to mature caudal and ejaculated sperm in which the staining was restricted to the acrosome and the midpiece first appeared in a small percentage of caput spermatozoa and was completed during transit through the corpus epididymidis. Mature spermatozoa from cauda epididymidis, vas deferens, and ejaculate did not undergo chromatin denaturation even after exposure to 10 mM DTT, unlike sperm from testis, initial segment, and caput epididymidis. Spermatozoa exposed to DTT showed chromatin decondensation; maximum decondensation was seen in testicular sperm and a decrease in the percentage of sperm, showing decondensation, occurred during epididymal transit. Ultrastructural studies showed that spermatozoa undergo structural changes during sperm maturation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that rhesus monkey spermatozoa undergo reorganization of the plasma membrane lipids and stabilization of disulfide linkages during epididymal transit. The results would be of use in evaluating the action of potential male contraceptive drugs on epididymal spermatozoa.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Changes in binding of lectins to epididymal, ejaculated, and capacitated spermatozoa of the rhesus monkey.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the changes in rhesus monkey sperm surface glycoconjugates during maturation, ejaculation, and capacitation in order to provide background information that would help in evaluating adverse effects, if any, caused by the use of contraceptive agents. METHODS: Adult sexually mature rhesus monkeys were castrated under ketamine anaesthesia. Percoll purified sperm from different epididymal segments and motile-ejaculated spermatozoa prior to and following in vitro capacitation were exposed to FITC-labeled lectins. Live or sperm prefixed with paraformaldehyde/alcohol were used. Quantitative analysis of changes in lectin binding was done immunoassay. RESULTS: The majority of live spermatozoa did not show binding of Con A and PNA, whereas uniform labeling of WGA to sperm from corpus epididymidis onward was seen. Unfixed spermatozoa showed marked variation in the pattern of lectin binding. The majority of spermatozoa fixed with paraformaldehyde or alcohol showed maximum lectin labeling over the acrosome, but the postacrosomal area invariably did not bind the lectins. Major changes in the localization of Con A, PNA, or WGA to prefixed spermatozoa were not seen during epididymal transit and in the ejaculate. In capacitated acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, Con A, PNA, and WGA were localized mainly in the equatorial segment. Binding of Con A and PNA was abolished by using lectins preincubated with appropriate inhibitor saccharides. Sperm, exposed to FITC-WGA preincubated with inhibitor sugar, did not show complete inhibition. Quantitative analysis of lectin binding by immunoassay showed increase in binding of lectins during epididymal transit with maximum binding in sperm from the corpus epididymidis. CONCLUSIONS: The variations in lectin labeling of live spermatozoa could be due to redistribution of sperm surface sugars or membrane damage. The changes in lectin labeling during maturation and capacitation may be associated with their role in ovum recognition and fusion.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

Suppression of testicular and epididymal functions in a non-human primate (bonnet monkey) by combined administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist and testosterone buciclate.

The ability of a long-acting androgen, testosterone buciclate (TB), to induce suppression of testicular and epididymal sperm functions when given in combination with a potent GnRH antagonist (Antide) either on day 1 or 45 of Antide administration (days 1-90) as well as the ability of TB to maintain Antide-induced suppression of spermatogenesis were evaluated in adult bonnet monkeys. A group of untreated animals (group I) acted as controls. All animals given Antide and androgen simultaneously (group II) became azoospermic but at different times. When androgen administration was delayed 45 days after start of Antide treatment (group III), the mean sperm concentration remained in the normospermic range and only three animals became azoospermic. Antide given alone (group IV) induced azoospermia in three animals and oligospermia in the remaining animals; spermatogenesis recovered when Antide was withdrawn and TB was injected. In all Antide-treated animals (groups II-IV), non-motile spermatozoa or sperm with non-progressive motility and poor gel penetrability were seen in the ejaculate.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Effects of testosterone buciclate on testicular and epididymal sperm functions in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata)

The effects of testosterone buciclate (TB), a long-acting androgen ester given i.m. at four sites (20 mg/site) on days 1 and 91 of the study period (360 days), on reproductive and hormonal parameters were evaluated in five adult male bonnet monkeys; untreated animals (n = 5) acted as controls to monitor seasonal changes in these parameters. In control animals, testicular volume remained unchanged throughout the study; sperm count, motility and gel penetrability decreased while the percentage of spermatozoa showing retention of cytoplasmic droplet and coiled tail increased in June-July (days 210-240), preceded by reduction in serum testosterone (T) levels on days 120-150 (March-April). The TB-treated animals showed reduced testicular volume (days 90-270), suppressed sperm motility and gel penetrability (days 45-240 except on day 120), decreased sperm count (days 75-270), and an increased percentage of spermatozoa showing retention of cytoplasmic droplet and coiled tail (days 45-240 except on day 120). Even though serum T levels remained elevated until day 300, these levels were within the physiological range. The changes induced by TB were reversible. The suppression of testicular and epididymal functions by TB indicates that this long-acting androgen may have the potentiality to induce and maintain reversible sterility, but further evaluation needs to be carried out to develop an appropriate dosage regimen that would prevent return to normal functions in order to develop this long-acting androgen as a hormonal male contraceptive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Assessment of the vitality and acrosomal status of human spermatozoa using fluorescent probes.

The acrosomal status and vitality of human spermatozoa are generally assessed simultaneously using the lectins Pisums sativum agglutinin (PSA), Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Concanavalin A (Con A) in conjunction with either Hoechst 33258 (H258; a fluorescent DNA-binding supravital stain with limited membrane permeability) or a hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test. In the present study, sperm vitality was assessed using H258 under different staining conditions and the HOS test. The sensitivity of PNA- and Con A-labelling methods were also compared by evaluating the acrosomal status of motile human spermatozoa after capacitation (1 and 4 h) in vitro followed by exposure to dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and a calcium ionophore. The E-N method employing eosin-staining for 15 sec, rather than for 30 sec, provided a more reliable estimate of sperm vitality. H258, as used in the H258/Con A-labelling method (with and without ethanol fixation) rather than under the staining conditions equivalent of H258/PNA-labelling, was as good for vitality assessment as the E-N method employing eosin-staining for 15 sec. However, the HOS test overestimated the proportion of dead spermatozoa compared to those obtained using different H258 and E-N methods. Further, the Con A-labelling method consistently scored a significantly lower percentage of spermatozoa undergoing the acrosome reaction compared to those estimated by the PNA-labelling method. It is concluded that the different sensitivity of these methods can be attributed to the different binding specificity of the lectins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acrosome↗

PubMed1993

Ultrastructural changes in the efferent duct and epididymis of men with obstructive infertility.

Ultrastructural changes in the efferent duct and in different regions of the epididymis in men with obstructive azoospermia were compared with corresponding tissues collected from men of proven fertility who underwent castration due to malignancy of the prostate. Major degenerative changes were seen in the efferent duct and the caput epididymidis of men with obstruction at the caput epididymidis which may have been induced by fluid pressure due to defective absorption of testicular fluid in the caput epididymidis. These degenerative changes included decrease in tubular and lumen diameter of the caput and the cauda epididymides, decrease in height of the stereocilia, reduction in rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi material, and presence of lipofuscin and osmiophilic dense bodies. The degenerative changes were less when the site of obstruction was in the cauda epididymidis since fluid reabsorption would continue to take place normally in the caput epididymidis. In men who had undergone vasoepididymostomy (VEA), the ejaculated spermatozoa showed a high percentage of morphological abnormalities which may have occurred due to adverse effects of long-term obstruction on spermatogenesis.

Adult↗