Analysis of cell surface charge of human sperm by means of free-flow electrophoresis revealed that the electrophoretic mobility of X-bearing sperm was faster than that of Y-bearing sperm, indicating that X-bearing sperm have a higher net negative charge on the cell surface than do Y-bearing sperm. Sialidase treatment of X- and Y-bearing sperm caused an obvious and progressive reduction in the electrophoretic mobilities of the two types of cells, until they finally merged into a single peak. This observation suggests that the difference in net negative charge between X- and Y-bearing sperm is due mainly to sialic acid content on the cell surface.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Effects of angiotensins of the motility of human sperm.

The effects of angiotensins on the motility of highly washed human sperm were examined by multiple exposure photography system. The addition of low doses (0.1-10 ng/ml) of angiotensin II (AT II) stimulated the forward velocity of sperm without increasing the percentage of motility. On the contrary, high concentration (1.0 micrograms/ml) of AT II suppressed the motility. The direct effect of angiotensin I (AT I) on the motility was observed under the presence of SQ 14225, a specific inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). At I (0.1-100 ng/ml) gave no influence on the motility, whereas that of high dose (1.0 ug/ml) suppressed the motility in the same manner as the corresponding dose of AT II. The action of AT II on the motility was completely suppressed under the coexistence of saralasin, a specific antagonist against AT II. This fact indicated that the action of AT II on the sperm appeared through the specific receptor on sperm.

Angiotensin I↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The 1999-2000 ACC task analysis of nurse-midwifery/midwifery practice: a consideration of the concept of professional issues.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Certification Council periodically conducts a task analysis study as evidence supporting the content validity of the national certification examination in nurse-midwifery and midwifery. The purpose of this article is to report findings related to the examination of the relationship between professional issues and safe beginning-level midwifery as measured by the 1999-2000 Task Analysis of American Nurse Midwifery and Midwifery Practice. Study findings suggest that newly certified midwives place strong emphasis on the importance of tasks related to the ACNM "Hallmarks of Midwifery," which characterize the art and science of the profession: these include tasks dealing with health promotion and cultural competency. The beginning midwives, however, gave consistently low ratings to tasks related to ACNM "Core Competencies" that mirror the professional responsibilities of midwives; these include tasks related to the history of midwifery, research, or health policy. The study has implications for nurse-midwifery/midwifery educators, experienced midwifery mentors, and other persons interested in reinforcing the relevance of these important professional issues to the new midwife.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The 1999 ACC task analysis of nurse-midwifery/midwifery practice phase I: the instrument development study.

The national certification examination (NCE) in nurse-midwifery and midwifery is developed, administered, and evaluated by the ACNM Certification Council (ACC). The blueprint for the NCE is based upon a comprehensive list of tasks that describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of the midwifery practitioner at entry into the profession. In 1999, the ACC initiated the third in a series of task analysis studies to ensure the currency and relevance of the task list. This study was considered particularly timely, given that the professional organization, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, had approved pathways to midwifery for individuals whose first degree was not in nursing (the certified midwife) and also had expanded the core competencies for midwifery practice to include responsibilities in the domain of primary care. This manuscript reports the results of the pilot study, in which the specific list of tasks was developed. Three hundred and six ACNM members responded to a preliminary list of tasks, indicating their opinion about whether each specific task was relevant to entry-level midwifery practice. The task list finally derived consists of 219 tasks and 177 clinical conditions, dispersed among seven domains of practice (antepartum, intrapartum, newborn, postpartum, well-woman/gynecology, primary care/health assessment, and professional issues.) The task list represents a comprehensive profile of entry-level practice for nurse-midwives and midwives certified by the ACC.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome of infertile male.

The authors report a case with pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome associated with asthenonecrozoospermia. The conventional karyotype was 46, X, inv (Y) (p11q11). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed the deletion of DYZ3, DYS139, and RBM1. Three-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the sperm chromosomes showed normal ratio between X- and Y-bearing sperm. In this case, the frequencies of aneuploidy of the sperm are not significantly higher compared with those from the normal volunteers. Cytogenetic analysis is recommended when the patients with pericentric inversion of the Y chromosome are attending an infertility clinic.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Blood coagulation factor X (FX) in human seminal plasma.

The active form of human blood coagulation factor X (FXa, EC 3.4.21.6) showing N-alpha-Benzoyl-L-isoleucyl-L-glutamyl-L-glycyl-L-arginine- p-nitroanilide (S-2222) hydrolyzing activity was first detected in human semen (seminal plasma) by affinity chromatography using anti-human coagulation factor X, and this enzyme activity was inhibited by anti-human FX. This enzyme has been associated with the human coagulation factor X (FX) in human semen (seminal plasma) by Western blot analysis, and the molecular mass of mature FX was also estimated to be 59 KDa by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gonadal function in patients with testicular germ cell tumors.

The gonadal function of 18 patients with testicular germ cell tumors was evaluated. Seminal parameters after orchiectomy were examined in 15 patients. Six of them were available for follow-up observation after 2 or 3 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Serum gonadal hormones before and after orchiectomy were evaluated in 7 patients (testosterone and PRL were not examined in one patient). Five of 15 (33.3%), 8 of 15 (53.3%), 13 of 15 (86.7%), 7 of 13 (53.8%), and 9 of 12 (75.0%) had abnormal values in seminal volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality, respectively. The sperm concentration gradually improved after chemotherapy following orchiectomy in 5 of 6 (83.3%) patients. In all the patients examined, serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL) increased after orchiectomy. Serum levels of testosterone increased in 4 patients, but decreased in 2 after orchiectomy. These findings suggest that several factors, including preexisting intrinsic defect and disturbance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, are involved in the deterioration of gonadal function in patients with testicular germ cell tumors.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Individual variation in semen parameters of healthy young volunteers.

Individual variation in semen parameters was investigated in healthy young volunteers. Semen samples were collected approximately once a month over a one-year period for a total of 93 samples (5 to 10 samples per subject) from 12 volunteers in their twenties. Semen analysis was carried out according to the WHO Manual. The amount of variation in each semen variable was calculated for each subject by dividing the maximum value by the minimum value. The results showed that the semen volume varied by 1.9+/-0.8 fold (1.3 to 4.2 fold), the sperm concentration by 4.8+/-4.3 fold (1.5 to 17.2 fold), the percentage of sperm with forward progression by 2.8+/-1.4 fold (1.6 to 6.4 fold), the percentage of sperm with rapid linear progression by 3.4+/-2.6 fold (1.7 to 10.9 fold), the percentage of sperm with normal morphology by 1.9+/-0.4 fold (1.3 to 2.4 fold), and the percentage of live sperm by 1.5+/-0.4 fold (1.1 to 2.6 fold). A between-group comparison showed significant differences in all of the variables except the percentage of sperm with normal morphology. These results suggest multiple and considerable semen analyses are needed when evaluating semen parameters.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

XX-male syndrome bearing the sex-determining region Y.

The case of a 25-year-old man who presented for evaluation of infertility is described. The physical examination revealed testicular atrophy without gynecomastia. Repeated seminal analyses showed azoospermia, and serum hormonal levels suggested a state of a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Chromosomal analysis demonstrated 46XX. Polymerase chain reaction revealed the existence of a sex-determining region Y. The etiology of this rare sex reversal syndrome is discussed and cases reported in Japan are reviewed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spermicidal activity of menfegol-coated condom.

The spermicidal activity of menfegol-coated condoms was investigated. Menfegol (P-menthanyl-phenyl-polyxyethylene [8,8] ether) showed strong spermicidal activity at 0.5 mg/ml and higher concentrations. Semen was ejaculated directly into menfegol-coated condoms (20 mg/condom) or uncoated condoms. Immediately after ejaculation, sperm motility and viability were examined. In the menfegol-coated condoms, sperm motility was completely suppressed and no viable sperm were observed. In the uncoated condoms, most of the sperm were alive, although their motility was almost suppressed. These results indicate that the menfegol-coated condom represents a new birth control method in which the contraceptive efficacy of the condom is enhanced by the spermicidal activity of menfegol.

Contraceptive Devices, Male↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Human acrosin: purification and some properties.

Human sperm with normal morphology and good viability were obtained by centrifugation using a discontinuous Percoll density gradient with an inner column. Acrosin (E.C.3.4.21.10) was rapidly purified from sperm by ion exchange adsorption and elution and was purified by affinity adsorption on a lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) Cellulofine column. The final preparation was found to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and to have a molecular weight of about 4 x 10(4) daltons. The enzyme had an esterolytic activity of 3.5 mumol/min/A280 with N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester as the substrate. Human acrosin showed a broad substrate specificity for arginine and lysine derivatives and it seemed to have a somewhat different specificity from trypsin. The optimal pH of this enzyme with amidolytic activity was 9.0. Enzyme activity was stimulated by a high concentration of calcium chloride. LBTI and aprotinin strongly suppressed the amidolytic activity with the D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Val-Leu-Arg-pNA) as the substrate, but alpha 1-antitrypsin and soybean trypsin inhibitor were less effective.

Acrosin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Basic arginine esterase from human seminal plasma: purification and some properties.

Basic arginine esterase (amidase) with a specific activity of 3.2 mumol N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (Tos-Arg-Me) esterolysis per A280 was purified about 230-fold from a CM-cellulose absorbed preparation of human seminal plasma. The purified enzyme was a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 3.4-4.1 x 10(4). The amidolytic activity of this enzyme was suppressed by aprotinin, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), leupeptin, and antipain, while alpha 1-antitrypsin, ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor (OTI), EDTA, and chymostatin had no or weak effect. This enzyme hydrolyzed synthetic basic amino acid derivatives and N-alpha-tosyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Tos-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA) and N-alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-leucyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilid e (Boc-Leu-Pro-Arg-pNA) were the best substrates. The enzymatic characteristics of present enzyme were clearly different from tissue kallikrein, acrosin, and seminin in human semen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detection and separation of two kinds of acidic arginine amidases from boar sperm using lima bean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin affinity adsorptions.

Two kinds of acidic arginine amidase activity were found in boar sperm. One enzyme was separated by a treatment consisting of lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) affinity adsorption and elution. The other enzyme was separated by aprotinin affinity adsorption and elution through the same solutions as those used for first enzyme; the two enzymes provisionally named boar sperm acidic arginine amidases 1 (BSAA-1) and 2 (BSAA-2), respectively. The amidolytic activity of BSAA-1 was increased by high concentrations of calcium chloride, while the activity of BSAA-2 was independent of calcium chloride. Their behavior with LBTI and aprotinin, and profiles of their substrate specificities, were also different. The affinity of LBTI to BSAA-1 was approximately 14 times higher than that to BSAA-2.

Adsorption↗