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Biomedical subjects

M S Bornman

Publications and source records attributed to M S Bornman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Epididymal markers in rats exposed to the xenoestrogen p-nonylphenol: no biochemical effects at low dosages.

Harmful micro- and macroscopic effects of the environmental xenoestrogen p-nonylphenol (p-NP) on the male rat reproductive system have been previously reported. In our study, biochemical evidence of epididymal involvement was sought by determining epididymal marker values after exposure at levels below (5, 20 and 50 mg kg-1) and above (100, 250 and 400 mg kg-1) the "no observed adverse effect" level (NOAEL: 50 mg kg-1 day-1). Exposure to p-NL below the NOAEL did not affect biochemical marker values. At levels above the NOAEL, biochemical markers of epididymal function were affected by the exposure of adults, and by maternal exposure (gestational and lactational periods followed by oral exposure until sexual maturity). l-carnitine was unchanged at all levels of exposure. Exposure of adult males to levels above the NOAEL resulted in higher alpha-glucosidase, suggesting increased epididymal secretory activity. This could upset the balance between secretory and reabsorptive function, and could alter the biochemical composition of the epididymal luminal fluid surrounding spermatocytes during the maturation process. Maternal exposure at levels above the NOAEL resulted in higher tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in the caput-corpus epididymidis, which could indicate an oestrogen-mimicking effect.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

The effect of p-nonylphenol, an environmental toxicant with oestrogenic properties, on fertility potential in adult male rats.

Infertility is a sad reality and it is now evident that several aspects of male reproductive health have changed for the worse over the past 30-50 years. para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental toxicant with oestrogenic properties, was tested for its effect on male fertility potential. When adult male rats were exposed to 100 mg kg-1 p-NP the histological parameters of the seminiferous tubules were adversely affected. Although spermatogenesis was already established in these males at the time exposure commenced, p-NP still had an effect on the histology of the seminiferous tubules. Increasing the level to 250 mg kg-1 additionally resulted in a smaller weight gain and signs of epididymal toxicity, while 400 mg kg-1 also impaired testicular mass and sperm count. In the last two groups spermatogenesis was also affected in some animals. Because p-NP had an effect on established spermatogenesis in the rat, one could speculate that the same effects might also occur in humans. It would appear that p-NP had toxic effects on both the testis and epididymis and both structures might be important in impairing male fertility. Bio-accumulation may enhance the negative effects at even lower p-NP concentrations over longer exposure periods than reported here.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The effect of p-nonylphenol on the fertility potential of male rats after gestational, lactational and direct exposure.

There is growing concern that abnormalities in male reproductive health are becoming more frequent. The most fundamental change has been the striking decline in sperm counts and semen quality. The effect of maternal exposure of rats to the oestrogenic environmental substance p-nonylphenol (p-NP) was determined in this study. Exposure to p-NP for the experimental period impaired general growth. The lower testicular mass indicated a direct toxic effect on the testis in animals exposed to p-NP during foetal life, the postnatal period and after weaning until termination at 10 weeks of age. The epididymal mass was also negatively affected by p-NP; this was supported by the decrease in the epididymal ratio. The total cauda epididymal sperm count was significantly lower in the 250 mg kg-1 p-NP dosage group compared to the control and 100 mg kg-1 p-NP groups. The overall lower sperm count with increased p-NP concentrations corresponded with the decreased testicular and epididymal masses. This emphasized the toxicity of p-NP on both testis and epididymis. Seminiferous tubule diameter, lumen diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness were smaller in the exposed groups, even at the low dose level. These histological measurements further supported the finding of a low testicular mass. In spite of the measurements being smaller, p-NP had no effect on the stages of spermatogenesis except for one animal with disrupted spermatogenesis in some tubules, while others were normal.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Semen quality and fertility of men employed in a South African lead acid battery plant.

Previous studies of the associations of measures of occupational lead exposure with measures of semen quality and infertility among male workers have produced conflicting results. The current study was undertaken to examine these associations among a population of workers with a broad range of measures of current and historical lead exposure. Ninety-seven lead-exposed workers from a South African lead acid battery facility provided semen samples that were analyzed for sperm density, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and presence of antisperm antibodies. Questionnaire data were collected for reported histories of sub- or infertility. Current blood leads ranged from 28 to 93 micrograms/dl. Semen lead ranged from 1 to 87 micrograms/dl. Reasonably consistent and significant associations were found between an increased percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology and higher measures of current blood lead, cumulative blood lead, and duration of exposure. An increased percent of immotile sperm was associated only with zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) among the lead exposure measures. There were no associations of sperm density or sperm count with any of the lead exposure measures. A weak association of increased percent of sperm with antisperm antibodies with increased semen lead was present. There were no consistent associations of measures of lead exposure with measures of fertility or procreativity. This study, while supporting the association of lead exposure with increased risk of abnormal sperm morphology seen in some previous studies, does not lend support to previously reported associations of sperm density or count or infertility with measures of lead exposure. However, the relatively high range of current blood leads, high prevalence of abnormalities in semen quality, and the lack of a control population, suggest that these negative findings should be interpreted with caution.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1994

Urine as an alternative to urethral swabs for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile males.

Swabbing the urethrae of men has been the traditional approach for collecting specimens for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Recently, however, urine testing using enzyme immunoassay has yielded promising results. A total of 105 patients attending the Andrology Clinic at Ga Rankuwa Hospital, Medunsa were included in the study. These patients were asymptomatic and had no urethral discharge. Three endo-urethral swabs and first-catch urine were collected from each patient. The urethral swabs were used for enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (IDEIA III), tissue culture and direct immunofluorescent antibody (DFA) test (IMAGEN) to detect C. trachomatis. In addition about 15-30 ml of first-catch urine, or urine collected at least 2h after the previous micturition, was collected for each patient for EIA testing. Fifteen (14.3%) of 105 patients were positive on urethral swab EIA, in comparison with the DFA test in which 14 (13.3%) were positive. Eight (7.8%) were positive in tissue culture. Urine EIA was positive in 17 (16.2%) patients, of whom five (4.8%) were positive in urine EIA only. All EIA positive urines were confirmed by DFA. We recommend that first-catch urine or urine collected at least 2h after the previous micturition in infertile males may be considered a suitable alternative to urethral swab for chlamydial diagnosis because it is noninvasive and nontraumatic.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Biochemical analysis of tunica vaginalis fluid in patients with or without idiopathic hydroceles.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the differences, if any, between the biochemical composition of idiopathic hydrocele fluid and the fluid normally present in the tunica vaginalis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Aspiration and sclerotherapy of 37 idiopathic hydroceles from patients who presented to this urology clinic were performed. The biochemical content of the fluid was compared with that of the tunica vaginalis fluid from a small group of controls (n = 8), taken from patients undergoing orchidectomy for carcinoma of the prostate. RESULTS: Differences in several measurements were recorded; in particular, there were significantly higher concentrations of calcium, albumin, total protein and creatine-kinase in the hydrocele group. The levels of potassium, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower in the hydrocele group. CONCLUSION: Whether these differences have a role in the causation of an idiopathic hydrocele is, at this stage, speculative. A similar study on a larger scale would probably be more conclusive.

Albumins↗
PubMed1992

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↗
PubMed1991

Trauma of the ureter.

Thirty-three ureteric injuries were treated over a 2-year period. The majority of patients presented late. The most common modes of repair were either ureteroneocystostomy or transuretero-ureterostomy. Complications were few and of little significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Comparative trial of sclerotherapy for hydroceles.

We present a prospective single-blind trial of sclerotherapy for hydroceles with tetradecyl sulphate and rolitetracycline as sclerosants. Twenty-seven hydroceles were treated with tetradecyl sulphate and 28 with rolitetracycline. The median follow-up was 13 months. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 drugs in respect of cure rate and complications. The overall cure rate for both drugs was 96%. Complications were rare and common to both drugs. Tetradecyl sulphate and rolitetracycline were found to be equally effective as sclerosants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Sclerotherapy for hydroceles.

Sclerotherapy with 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate and 3.5% rolitetracycline on an outpatient basis was applied to 55 hydroceles. The over-all cure rate was 96% with an average followup of 13 months. Of the patients 64% were cured after only 1 sclerosant instillation. A post-sclerotherapy operation was necessary in 4% of the patients. Pain of a significant degree occurred after sclerotherapy in only 29% of the patients. Sclerotherapy appears to be an effective, economical and safe form of outpatient therapy for hydroceles.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1989

Seminal carnitine, epididymal function and spermatozoal motility.

The carnitine content of semen from azoospermic subjects and subjects with either impaired motility or forward progression is reported. Within the azoospermic group, the values were not significantly different between those with testicular failure or obstruction. The patients with impaired motility (less than 40%) or impaired forward progression (less than 3) had a lower mean seminal carnitine content than those with good motility and forward progression (P less than 0.05). Seminal carnitine concentration was not an index of epididymal patency and could not be regarded as useful for locating the level of obstruction in the epididymis. Since carnitine plays an important role in the maturation process when sperm acquire motility, it would seem that seminal carnitine might be an indicator of epididymal dysfunction.

Carnitine↗